Formic Acid → 4-Hydroxy-2-methylbenzaldehyde

Participants

Reaction Steps

The compound of Step B, 13.54 g (76.9 mmole), 1.72 g (7.69 mmole) palladium acetate, and 12.09 g (46.2 mmole) triphenylphosphine were mixed in a 250 ml flask. Formic acid, 3.2 ml (84.6 mmole), was added and the reaction was swirled. Within 15 seconds, the reaction foamed, exothermed and formed a gum which was dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed once with sodium bicarbonate and once with brine. The organic layer was chromatographed on 350 ml silica, eluting with 20%, then 40% ethyl acetate/hexane. The fractions were combined and the product crystallized from methylene chloride/hexane to give 3.61 g (35%) of product which was used without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence