Benzyl Bromide → 5-(Benzyloxy)-2-methoxybenzaldehyde

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred suspension of 5-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzaldehyde (306.6 g, prepared by the method of Ulrich et al, J. Org. Chem., 1974, 39, 2437), benzyl bromide (355.8 g) and Adogen 464 (48.5 g) in dichloromethane (600 ml) was added a solution of sodium hydroxide (123.5 g) in water (500 ml). The mixture became warm and the suspension dissolved; additional dichloromethane (300 ml) was added to prevent crystallisation of the benzylated product. After 2 hours, the organic layer was removed, washed twice with water, once with saturated sodium chloride solution, then dried with anhydrous magnesium sulphate. The solution was concentrated, then treated with petroleum spirit to give 5-benzyloxy-2-methoxybenzaldehyde (445.7 g, 91%), m.p. 99°-100°.

Provenance & Evidence