4-Bromo-2-methylbenzoic acid → (4-Bromo-2-methylphenyl)methanol

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Reaction Steps

Borane-dimethyl sulfide complex (2M in THF; 116 mL, 0.232 mol) is added slowly to a solution of 4-bromo-2-methylbenzoic acid (24.3 g, 0.113 mol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (THF, 146 mL) at 3° C. After stirring cold for 10 min the cooling bath is removed and the reaction is allowed to warm slowly to ambient temperature. After 1 hour, the solution is cooled to 5° C., and water (100 mL) is added slowly. Ethyl acetate (100 mL) is added and the phases are separated. The organic layer is washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution (200 mL) and dried over Na2SO4. Filtration and concentration under reduced pressure gives a residue which is purified by filtration through a short pad of silica eluting with 15% ethyl acetate/iso-hexane to give the title compound (20.7 g, 91.2% yield). MS (m/z): 183/185 (M+1-18).

Provenance & Evidence