m-Formylbenzonitrile → 3-(Hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To an ice-cold solution of 3-cyanobenzaldehyde (5.0 g, 38 mmol) in 1:1 MeOH/THF (90 mL) was added NaBH4 (1.6 g, 42 mmol), and the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with brine, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in water, and the aqueous layer was extracted with Et2O (3×100 mL). The combined organics were washed with brine, dried (MgSO4), filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 3-hydroxymethyl-benzonitrile (4.95 g, 98%) as a clear oil, which was used in the next step without further purification or characterization.

Provenance & Evidence