Water → Benzene, 1,2,5-trichloro-3-methoxy-

Participants

Reaction Steps

A suspension of 5.5 grams (0.144 mole) of lithium aluminum hydride in 300 mL of diethyl ether was stirred, and 25.0 grams (0.111 mole) of 2,3,5-trichlorobenzoic acid in 200 mL of diethyl ether was added dropwise at a rate which maintained a gentle reflux. The complete addition required about 75 minutes. Upon completion of addition, the reaction was mixture heated at reflux for 4.5 hours. After this time the reaction mixture was stirred for about 16 hours, during which time it was allowed to cool to ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was then cooled to below 10° C., and 6 mL of water was added slowly dropwise. Upon completion of addition, 5 mL of aqueous 20% sodium hydroxide was added dropwise, followed by an additional 12 mL of water added dropwise. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 20 minutes and filtered through diatomaceous earth. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to a residue. The residue was stirred into water, and the combination was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extracts were combined and washed with three portions of water. The organic layer was dried with sodium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure, yielding 17.1 grams of 2,3,5-trichlorophenylmethanol. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.

Provenance & Evidence