Methanol → 4-(Trifluoromethyl)benzenemethanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 117 parts of (4-trifluoromethylphenyl)methanone in 136 parts of methanol there were added portionwise 13.1 parts of sodium tetrahydroborate under a nitrogen atmosphere, while cooling on ice. After stirring for 18 hours at room temperature, the reaction mixture was poured into water which was acidified with HCI (20%). The product was extracted with 2,2'-oxybispropane (2×) and the combined extracts were washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated, yielding 130 parts (100%) of 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenemethanol (interm. 10).

Provenance & Evidence