Ethanol → HCID 58388140, compound

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 3-phenylpropanal (100 g, 0.7 mol), formaldehyde (540 mL, 7.5 mol) and calcium oxide (56 g, 1 mol) in ethanol (1 L) was stirred at 40° C. under nitrogen for 18 h. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated. Water (1 L) was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (1 L×3), the combined organic layers were concentrated and purified via silica gel chromatography (petroleum ether/ethyl acetate 3:1) to afford 2-benzyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol as a white solid (90 mg).

Provenance & Evidence