Hydrochloric Acid → 2,5-Difluoro-4-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile

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Reaction Steps

2,5-Difluoro-4-formylbenzonitrile (3.60 g, 0.0215 mol; see step (ii) above) was dissolved in 50 mL of methanol and cooled on an ice bath. Sodium borohydride (0.815 g, 0.0215 mol) was added in portions with stirring and the reaction was left for 45 min. Water (300 mL) was added and thereafter carefully 2M HCl was added until an acidic pH was attained. The mixture was extracted three times with diethyl ether, and the combined ethereal phase washed with water, dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated. The crude product crystallised soon and could be used without further purification. Yield: 3.1 g (85%).

Provenance & Evidence