Water → 2-Benzyl-4-chlorobenzyl alcohol

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 28.4 g (0.75 mol) of lithium aluminum hydride in 800 ml of ether, which was cooled to 0° C., were added dropwise 85.1 g (0.345 mmol) of 2-benzyl-4-chlorobenzoic acid in 250 ml of ether. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for 2 hours. The excess lithium aluminum hydride was discharged by the addition of 28.5 ml of water, 28.5 ml of 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, and 85.5 ml of water. The precipitate was removed by filtration, and the filtrate was dried over sodium sulfate. Removal of the ether at reduced pressure gave a colorless oil which crystallized upon standing, mp 46.5°-49° C.

Provenance & Evidence