1: 1.) NaBH4 2.) 1:1 mixture of 38 percent aq. formaldehyde and cc. HCl, 60-70 gradC 3: 37 percent / aqueous - methanolic potassium hydroxyde View Scheme

sodium methylate 1.) CHCl3, room temp, 1 h, 2.) MeOH, room temp, 15 min; Yield given. Multistep reaction;

1: 1.) NaBH4 2.) 1:1 mixture of 38 percent aq. formaldehyde and cc. HCl, 60-70 gradC 3: 1.) NaBH4 2.) H3O(1+), CH2O View Scheme