Ethyl Acetate → [2-(3-Hydroxypropyl)phenyl]acetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A 70% solution in benzene of sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride (95.2 g., 0.33 mole of reagent) is added dropwise during one hour to a stirred solution of ethyl o-(cyanomethyl)hydrocinnamate (65.0 g., 0.3 mole) in benzene (250 ml.). The reaction mixture is held at 25°-28° C. by means of a cold water bath. The mixture is stirred at 25°-28° C. for 4 additional hours. Ethyl acetate (5 ml.) is added to destroy excess reducing agent. The mixture is then treated with 250 ml. ice-cold 5% hydrochloric acid. The benzene layer is separated, washed with water, and dried over sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the benzene in vacuo affords [2-(3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl]acetonitrile.

Provenance & Evidence