B-Phenylethyl alcohol has been synthesized from styrene through its conversion into styrene bromohydrin

which was dehydrobrominated to its epoxide and followed by hydrogenation. An aqueous solution of 105g. NaClO3 in 225ml. H2O and a mixed solution of 360 g. NaBr in 750 ml. H2O and dilute H2SO4 were added simultaneously into 210g. of styrene during 3.5-4 hrs. at 90-95℃ with vigorous stirring. After completing the reaction

the organic layer was separated and washed with water and dilute soda solution successively. The separated oil

distilled under vaccum

gave an yield of 80-85% styrene bromohydrin

b. p. 106-111℃/2-3 mm.

nD23.5 1.5770. Treating it with slight excess of a dilute solution of NaOH at 60-65℃

for 3-4 hrs. gave styrene oxide

b. p. 60-65℃/3-4 mm. nD22 1.5350

d1G1G 1.055

80-85% in yields

100 g. of styrene oxide

dissolved in 200 ml. ethyl alcohol

containing 3.3 g. NaOH was hydrogenated in the presence of Raney Ni catalyst under 3 atmosphere at room temperature to give β-phenylethyl alcohol

nD20 1.530

d20 1.0206

75% in yields.