Formaldehyde → 2,6-Diethyl-4-methylbenzyl alcohol

Participants

Reaction Steps

Over a period of 30 min, gaseous formaldehyde (generated from 5.56 g of paraformaldehyde) is introduced with stirring into a solution of 2,6-diethyl-4-methylphenylmagnesium bromide, prepared from 12.40 g (54.6 mmol) of 1-bromo-2,6-diethyl-4-methylbenzene and 1.47 g (60.65 mmol) of magnesium turnings in 50 ml of THF, and the mixture is then stirred at room temperature for another 2 h. Distillative removal of the solvent and chromatography on silica gel (see above) gives 6.88 g (71%) of 2,6-diethyl-4-methylbenzyl alcohol.

Provenance & Evidence