Triethylamine → 2-(Hydroxymethyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 4-trifluoromethyl-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (500 mg, 2.62 mmol) in THF (20 mL) at 0° C. was added triethylamine (0.40 mL, 2.88 mmol) followed by ethyl chloroformate (0.28 mL, 2.88 mmol). A thick white precipitate formed. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 15 min then a solution of sodium borohydride (297 mg, 7.85 mmol) in water (5 mL) was slowly added via pipet. Vigorous gas evolution was observed and all solids dissolved. The reaction was stirred at 0° C. for 10 min then warmed to room temperature and stirred for 1 h. The reaction was diluted with water and extracted with CH2Cl2 (3×). The combined organics were dried over MgSO4 and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography with 20% to 50% EtOAc/hexanes to afford 296 mg (64%) of (4-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-methanol as a colorless oil that freezes just below room temperature. 1H NMR (CDCl3, 300 MHz): δ (ppm) 8.76 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (s, 1H), 7.45 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 1H), 4.87 (s, 2H).

Provenance & Evidence