Benzyl Alcohol → benzyl (2S)-2-hydroxypropanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Commercially available L-lactide 1 (16 g, 0.14 mol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (catalytic amount) in benzyl alcohol (40 mL, 0.38 mol) was heated to 110° C. overnight. Excess benzyl alcohol was removed under vacuum to obtain a light yellow oil. The desired product was distilled under vacuum (0.9 mm Hg, 85-95° C.) to obtain 50.3 g of 2 as a clear oil. The distilled oil was used without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence