Sodium cyanoborohydride → Methyl 3-(1-Hydroxyethyl)benzoate

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Reaction Steps

1.09 g (6.15 mmol) of methyl 3-acetylbenzenecarboxylate (Example 59A) were initially charged in 28 ml methanol. 0.77 g (12.29 mmol) of sodium cyanoborohydride was added, and the reaction solution was then adjusted to pH 3 using a few drops of 1N hydrochloric acid and stirred at RT overnight. The reaction solution was evaporated, water was then added and the mixture was extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated.

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