Benzyl Alcohol → Benzyl 2-bromopropanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

2-Bromopropionic acid (750 g, 4.90 moles) and benzyl alcohol (600 g, 3.55 moles) were dissolved in methylene chloride (1500 ml). To the resulting solution was added concentrated sulfuric acid (10 ml). The resulting solution was heated to a gentle reflux for two days, water separating during this time. Water (500 ml) was added and the layers were separated. The methylene chloride was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate and the layers were separated. The organic layer was washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to give a colorless oil which was vacuum distilled to give the pure product as a colorless oil (742 g, 86%).

Provenance & Evidence