Riboflavin → 2-(Trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3-propanetriol

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 1,1,1-trifluoro-3-[(benzyl)oxy]-2-{[(benzyl)oxy]methyl}-2-propanol (98.9 g, 290.9 mmol) in ethanol (1750 ml) was added to 5% palladium on carbon (9.73 g, wet, Degussa, E101 No/W) under nitrogen. The mixture was then stirred under an atmosphere of hydrogen using a Wright valve in a 5 liter hydrogenation vessel. After approximately 3 hours most of the theoretical volume of hydrogen had been taken up. After stirring under hydrogen overnight (approximately a further 1 liter of hydrogen had been taken up overnight), the catalyst was filtered off through a pad of celite and the pad washed with ethanol. The filtrate and washings were then concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue azeotroped (×2) with dichloromethane whereupon the residue became solid. This material was left on the vacuum pump to give the title compound (48.56 g) as an off white solid.

Provenance & Evidence