Hydrochloric Acid → 2-Hydroxy-3-(2-nitrophenyl)propanoic acid

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Reaction Steps

To a magnetically stirred suspension of α-oxo-2-nitrobenzenepropanoic acid (5.00 g) in water (75 ml) containing 1 drop of decyl alcohol was added sodium borohydride (2.50 g) in portions to maintain a temperature between 45 and 50°. The resulting solution was then left at room temperature for 21/2 hours. The solution was acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid and seeded. Stirring and cooling gave crude product; yield 5.01 g, m.p. 84°-90°. Recrystallization from water gave titled product; yield 2.63 g (52%), m.p. 95°-98° with spectral data as above.

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