potassium carbonate in N,N-dimethyl-formamide T=80°C; 0.5 h;

methanol; benzaldehyde; 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolinium chloride; triethylamine T=25°C; Cannizzaro type reaction; 5 h; Inert atmosphere; regioselective reaction;

acetic anhydride in pyridine; benzene

1: With lithium hydroxide; water in tetrahydrofuran T=5 - 20°C; 2: With acetic acid in tetrahydrofuran