Benzyl Alcohol → Methyl 3-benzyloxy-3-phenyl-2-hydroxybutyrate

Participants

Reaction Steps

9.6 g (50 mmol) of methyl 3-phenyl-2,3-epoxybutyrate are dissolved in 150 ml of benzyl alcohol, and 0.5 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid is added. Stirring is carried for 6 hours at 50° C. and the mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature. After neutralization with sodium bicarbonate solution, the excess benzyl alcohol is distilled off under greatly reduced pressure 0 and the residue is purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using 9:1 n-hexane/ethyl acetate. After the solvent has been distilled off, 6.5 g of a colorless oil remain.

Provenance & Evidence