Water → Methyl 4-(hydroxymethyl)cinnamate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of methyl 4-formylcinnamate (5.58 g) in methanol (100 ml) was added sodium borohydride (0.4 g), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for an hour. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride layer was washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure gave methyl 4-(hydroxymethyl)cinnamate (5.27 g).

Provenance & Evidence