Benzyl Bromide → Benzyl 2-hydroxybutanoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of (±)-2-hydroxybutanoic acid, sodium salt (2.54 g, 20.1 mmol) in dry DMF (30 ml) was added benzyl bromide (2.9 mL, 1.2 eq) and anhydrous KI (330 mg, 0.1 eq). The suspension was heated at 100° C. for 24 hours and the DMF was distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in ether, washed with water and saturated Na2S2O3, dried (MgSO4), and concentrated. Distillation of the residual oil afforded 3.7 g (95%) of benzyl (±)-2-hydroxybutanoate as a colorless oil, b.p. 95° C. (0.45 Torr).

Provenance & Evidence