Methyl (E)-3-fluorocinnamate → (2E)-3-(3-fluorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-ol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of trans-3-fluorocinnamic acid methyl ester (69.61 g, 386 mmol) in dry dichloromethane (1 L) at −78° C. under nitrogen was added dropwise diisobutylaluminum hydride (neat, 172 mL, 965 mmol, 2.5 equiv.) via an addition funnel. After the addition was complete, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to −30° C. and stirred for an additional 1 hour, then quenched with methanol (150 mL). Upon warming to room temperature, the reaction mixture was treated with saturated aqueous solution of sodium/potassium tartrate (300 mL) and stirred for 30 minutes. The organic layer was washed sequentially with 1N aqueous hydrochloric acid solution, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, brine, and dried (anhydrous sodium sulfate). The crude oil was purified by silica gel chromatography (0-50% ethyl acetate:hexane) to give 53.07 g (90%) of trans-3-fluorocinnamyl alcohol as a colorless oil. MS (ES) m/z 152.1 (M+).

Provenance & Evidence