2,3-Naphthalenedicarboxylic acid → 2,3-Bis(hydroxymethyl)naphthalene

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Reaction Steps

A solution of 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (4.6 g, 0.023 mole) in dry THF (135 mL, warmed to 50° C. to maintain solution) is added dropwise over 15 minutes to a 1.15M lithium aluminum hydride solution in THF (45 mL, 0.052 mole). The solution is stirred 3 hours after which TLC indicated consumption of diacid and formation of a new major product. The reaction is quenched carefully with THF-water, then 2N hydrochloric acid (40 mL) is added, and the resulting mixture is extracted 3 times with ether. The combined ether extracts are washed with water (2 times), with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (1 time), with water, and are dried (sodium sulfate), filtered, and concentrated to give a tan solid (3.67 g). The solid is recrystallized from ethyl acetate giving the title compound (2.91 g) as a light tan crystalline material, mp 161°-162° C. (lit. ref mp 160° C.).

Provenance & Evidence