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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: shahrukhsun on September 10, 2013, 08:37:36 AM

Title: Conversion of benzoic acid to benzyl alcohol using NaBH4
Post by: shahrukhsun on September 10, 2013, 08:37:36 AM

I want to convert benzoic acid to benzyl alcohol using sodium borohydride. I have found one method using (sodium borohydride+boron triflorodiethyl etherate). Boron triflorodiethyl etherate found very costly. Is there any cheap substitute of Boron triflorodiethyl etherate for this type of reaction?

Title: Re: Conversion of benzoic acid to benzyl alcohol using NaBH4
Post by: discodermolide on September 10, 2013, 08:51:45 AM

You can easily make the methyl ester then reduce that with sodium borohydride in methanol/THF at 55°C.
The alternative is BH₃.DMS at reflux on benzoic acid.

Title: Re: Conversion of benzoic acid to benzyl alcohol using NaBH4
Post by: cbn on September 11, 2013, 02:25:44 AM

you can use LiAlH4 alternatively for reduction of benzoic acid to benzyl alcohol.

Title: Re: Conversion of benzoic acid to benzyl alcohol using NaBH4
Post by: clarkstill on September 11, 2013, 05:34:46 AM

Or generate borane in situ using NaBH4 and iodine...