In
this
(
https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/chemistry/para-fluoro-4-mar.html) synthesis, Bandil uses para-fluorobenzaldehyde and condenses it with nitroethane to get the nitroalcohol.
In my experience the nitroalcohol is hard to isolate, since it is easily dehydrated to the nitrostyrene thanks to conjugation. It is obvious that the fluorine atom affects the molecule in such a way that it is possible to isolate the alcohol instead of the styrene.
What I need to know is whether it is possible to react regular benzaldehyde with nitroethane and stop at the nitroalcohol. If one does not use acetic acid as solvent, and keep the entire isolation process if not basic then at least neutral (not acidic), do you think this could be done?
Thanks in advance.