Methanol → 2-(4-Fluorophenoxy)acetaldehyde

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a stirred solution of 1.98 g (10 mmoles) of ethyl-p-fluorophenoxy acetate (Example 155) in 15 ml of dry toluene, cooled to -78° C., under argon, is added, dropwise over 30 minutes, 8 ml of a 1.4M solution of diisobutylaluminum hydride in toluene (11 mmoles). The mixture is stirred for 2 hours at -78° C., 1 ml of methanol is added, followed by 5 ml of water, dropwise. The gel formed is filtered through Celite and washed with 100 ml of ether, portionwise. The organic phase is separated, washed twice with 25 ml of a saturated brine solution, dried with magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. The oil obtained is distilled at 71°-73° C. (0.1 mm) to give 600 mg (45%) of the subject product as a colorless liquid.

Provenance & Evidence