Synthesis of 1,1-Bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclopropane as Intermediate for Montelukast Sodium

1,1-Bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclopropane was synthesized by reaction dibromoneopentyl glycol with zinc powder at mole ratio of n(DG):n(zinc)=1:1.05 and 80 degrees C (slightly reflux) for 7 hours. Under optimal conditions, yield and purity of the title compound were 87.3% and 98.67%, respectively. Dibromoneopentyl glycol was also prepared in 91.7% yield with pentaerythritol and hydrobromic acid as material and diethyl sulfate as catalyst under reflux for 10 hours. Structural characterization of 1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclopropane was conducted by IR and H-NMR.