Ethanol → 4-Chloro-3-hydroxybutyric acid ethyl ester, (3R)-

Participants

Reaction Steps

In a 50 mL-volumetric autoclave were added deaerated ethanol (10 mL) and THF (10 mL), and thereto were added 4-dimethylaminopyridine (61 mg, 0.5 mmol) and (R)-epichlorohydrin (1.9 g, 20 mmol, >99% ee). Then to the mixture was added crystalline dicobaltoctacarbonyl complex (171 mg, 0.5 mmol). After covering the autoclave with a cap, carbon monoxide (2 MPa) was introduced therein and the mixture was reacted at 40° C. for 16 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was subjected to Kugelrohr distillation to give (R)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoic acid ethyl ester (2.8 g, 83%, >99% ee) as a colorless oil.

Provenance & Evidence