Hydrochloric Acid → alpha-(Difluoromethyl)-4-methylbenzenemethanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 2.0 g (6.4 mmol) of 2,2-difluoro-1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-phenylsulfonylethanol and 1.9 mL (32 mmol) of absolute ethanol in 20 L of dry tetrahydrofuran was treated with 0.74 g (32 mmol) of sodium spheres. After 90 minutes 1 mL of methanol followed by 1 mL of water were added to decompose unreacted sodium, and the mixture was poured into 100 mL of 1N HCl. The resulting aqueous mixture was extracted with three 50 m portions of dichloromethane. Combination, drying (MgSO4), and concentration of the organic layers afforded an orange liquid which was short path distilled to give 0.54 g (49% yield) of 2,2-difluoro-1-(4-methylphenyl)ethanol; bp 58° C. at 0.6 torr (lit 60°-62° C. at 0.5-0.6 torr; DePuy et al., J. Oro. Chem., 1974, 39, 878); mass spectrum (70 eV) m/e (relative intensity) 172 (17, M+), 121 (100), 93 (68), 91 (75), 77 (64), 65 (25), 51 (46), 39 (24).

Provenance & Evidence