Toluene → (2,6-Dimethylphenyl)methanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 2,6-dimethylbenzoic acid (10 g, 66.5 mmol) and potassium carbonate (9.18 g, 66.5 mmol) in dimethylfonnamide (67 ml), was added methyl iodide (8.28 ml, 133.16 mmol) in an ice bath, and the mixture was stirred for 16 hours. To the reaction mixture was added toluene and water, and the organic layer was washed with 3% K2CO3, 1N HCl, and brine. The organic layer was dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated. The oily residue was redissolved in dry THF (135 ml), added to LiAIH4 (3.7 g, 99.8 mmol), and stirred for 4 hours in an ice bath. To the reaction mixture was added 1N HCl slowly followed by ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated. The oily residue was used without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence