To a flask equipped as in Preparation 2-23 and containing 137.5 ml (0.3 mole) of etheral n-butylmagnesium bromide is added dropwise 58.9 gm (0.3 mole) of diethyl phenyl orthoformate dissolved in 120 ml of ether. The reaction is exothermic and causes the ether to reflux and precipitate a colorless precipitate. The reaction mixture is refluxed for ½hr, added to 30% aqueous ammonium chloride, extracted with 200 ml of ether, washed with water, dried, and distilled to afford 43.5 gm (90.5%), b.p. 50°C (9 mm Hg).
