Hydrochloric Acid → [2,6-Dimethyl-3-(1-methylethyl)phenyl]methanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of ethyl 2,6-dimethyl-3-(1-methylethyl)benzoate (2.8 g) in dry 1,2-dimethoxyethane (40 ml) was added dropwise under a nitrogen atmosphere to a stirred solution of lithium aluminum hydride in dry 1,2-dimethoxyethane (80 ml) at approximately -78°. The mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature. The mixture was heated to reflux and maintained under reflux for one hour. After cooling to ambient temperature, a solution of 1,2-dimethoxyethane (20 ml) in water (5 ml) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture, followed by additional water (25 ml). The reaction mixture was acidified with 3 N hydrochloric acid and extracted with diethyl ether. The combined ether extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent evaporated to give [2,6-dimethyl-3-(1-methylethyl)phenyl]methanol (1.7 g). The nmr spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.

Provenance & Evidence