Methanol → (3-Methoxy-2-methylphenyl)methanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred mixture of LiBH4 (2.62 g; 120 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (60 mL) was slowly added, via syringe, chlorotrimethylsilane (30.1 mL; 241 mmol). After stirring for 10 minutes, 3-methoxy-2-methylbenzoic acid (10.0 g, 60 mmol) was added in small portions. The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours. The mixture was cooled in an ice bath and methanol was slowly added until bubbling ceased and the solution turned clear. The reaction solution was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dispersed in dichloromethane and water. The phases were separated. The aqueous phase was basified with NaOH solution to pH 9-10 extracted with dichloromethane. The extracts were combined, dried over MgSO4, and evaporated to give (3-methoxy-2-methylphenyl)methanol 25, 9.10 g, 99% yield.

Provenance & Evidence