Methanol → 2-Fluoro-4-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

Into a cooled solution (−78° C.) of 2-fluoro-4-vinylbenzonitrile (1.3 g, 8.8 mmol; see step (i) above) in 40 mL of CH2Cl2 and 5 mL of methanol was to bubbled ozone (50 L/h, 29 g/m3) for 30 min. Argon was subsequently bubbled through to remove excess ozone. Sodium borohydride (0.67 g, 0.018 mol) was added and the cooling bath was removed. The mixture was stirred and allowed to react for 1 h. The mixture was evaporated and 2M HCl was added. The mixture was extracted twice with diethyl ether and the combined ether fraction was dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated. The crude product crystallised. Yield: 1.1 g (81%).

Provenance & Evidence