Hydrochloric Acid → Benzenepropanol

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Into a solution of 12 g (0.31 mole) of lithium aluminum hydride in 100 ml of anhydrous diethyl ether was added dropwise a solution prepared by dissolving 37 g (0.25 mole) of cinnamic acid in 100 ml of anhydrous diethyl ether at a temperature of 0° to 20° C. After completion of the dropwise addition of the solution, the mixture was further agitated for additional 30 minutes at 20° C. and then admixed with 100 ml of a 10% hydrochloric acid followed by phase separation. The organic solution taken by phase separation was subjected to evaporation of the ether and then distilled under reduced pressure to give 11 g of dihydrocinnamyl alcohol, which yield was 31% of the theoretical value, but neither cinnamyl alcohol nor cinnamic aldehyde could be obtained.

Provenance & Evidence