Sodium borohydride → 3-Methyl-2,4,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl alcohol

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Reaction Steps

Sodium borohydride (0.3 g) was added in small portions to a solution of 3-methyl-2,4,5,6-tetrafluorobenzaldehyde (1.5 g) in methyl alcohol (15 ml) at the ambient temperature, after which the mixture was heated at the reflux temperature for 30 minutes. The methyl alcohol was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue partitioned between dilute hydrochloric acid (20 ml of a 0.1 N solution) and ether (20 ml). The ethereal phase was separated, washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and with water and then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate. After evaporation of the ether under reduced pressure the product was distilled in a Kugelrohr apparatus to yield 3-methyl-2,4,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl alcohol (1.2 g)--approximate b.p. 100° C./14 mm Hg.

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