p-Nitrobenzyl alcohol (CAS NO.: ), with other names as Benzyl alcohol, p-nitro, could be produced through the following synthetic routes.

A solution of 218 g. (1.12 moles) of p-nitrobenzyl acetate (p. 650) in 500 ml. of hot methanol is prepared in a 2-l. flask. To the hot solution is added 380 g. (1.43 moles) of a 15% solution of sodium hydroxide. The alkali should be added slowly at first with shaking to prevent too vigorous boiling. After standing for 5 minutes, the mixture is poured with vigorous hand stirring into 4.5 kg. of a mixture of cracked ice and water. The precipitate is collected on a Büchner funnel and recrystallized from 3 to 3.7 l. of hot water with the aid of 15 g. of Norit. The alcohol is dried at 60° to 65° in an oven for several hours and bottled. The yield of slender, nearly colorless needles amounts to 110–121 g. (64–71%); the product melts at 92–93°.