2-Benzyloxyethanol

Benzyl-PEG2-alcohol is a PEG linker with an acid labile, benzyl protecting group and a reactive primary alcohol. The primary alcohol can react and further derivatize the compound. The hydrophilic PEG linker increases the water solubility of the compound in aqueous media.

Ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether is a Colorless to light yellow liquid which will dissolve a large number of organic substances among which are oils, fats, greases, some vinyl resins, dewaxed damar, rosin, ester gum, etc. It is used principally as a high boiling solvent in lacquers, inks, and textile dyeing.

2-Benzyloxyethanol is used in a base-free iridium-catalyzed direct alkylation of active methylene compounds with alcohols.

2-(Benzyloxy)ethanol has been used in:

• 9-(2-hydroxyethyl)-linked synthesis of 2,6-diaminopurines
• synthesis of benzyloxy ethyl methacrylate monomer by esterification with methacryloyl chloride
• a base-free iridium-catalyzed direct alkylation of active methylene compounds with alcohols

Tetrahedron Letters, 31, p. 389, 1990 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(00)94562-3

Toxic by ingestion.