3-Bromo-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid → [3-Bromo-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 3-bromo-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid (2.13 gm, 7.92 mmol) in anhydrous THF under nitrogen was added borane dimethylsulfide complex (15.83 mmol, 7.91 mL) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. A further aliquot of borane dimethylsulfide complex (15.83 mmol, 7.91 mL) was then added and stirring was continued at room temperature for a further 4 hours. LC-MS indicated complete consumption of starting material. Methanol was added cautiously until effervescence ceased then 2N hydrochloric acid (20 mL) was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 hours then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was extracted with diethyl ether and the solution washed with water. The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent removed under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol, silica gel was added and the solvent removed under vacuum. The solid was placed on a column of silica gel (50 gm) and eluted with hexane-ethyl acetate (85:15) to give the title compound as a yellow oil which crystallized on standing (1.16 gm, 57%).

Provenance & Evidence