Diethyl 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylate → Ethyl 1-(hydroxymethyl)cyclobutane-1-carboxylate

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Reaction Steps

A solution of lithium aluminum-tri-tert-butoxyhydride 1.0M in THF (100.0 mL, 100.0 mmol) is added at −78° C. to a solution of diethyl 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylate (10.0 g, 50.0 mmol) in anhydrous THF (50.0 mL). After stirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 14 h, 10% aq. KHSO4 solution is added and the reaction mixture diluted with ethyl acetate. After separating the two phases, the organic phase is washed with water and brine and dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. Filtration and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure affords 5.0 g of 1-hydroxymethyl-cyclobutanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester that is used in the next step without further purification. Yield: 63%; m/z 159 [M+H].

Provenance & Evidence