Sodium Cyanide → 2,3,6-Trifluorophenylacetonitrile

To a solution of sodium cyanide (1.94 g) in water (4 ml) is added phenyltriethylammonium chloride (0.09 g), and thereto is added with stirring 2,3,6-trifluorobenzyl chloride (5.0 g), and the mixture is stirred at 90° to 100° C. for 40 minutes. The reaction mixture is poured into water (20 ml) and is extracted with diethyl ether. The extract is dried over potassium carbonate and the solvent is distilled off to give 2-(2,3,6-trifluorophenyl)acetonitrile (3.1 g), b.p. 80°-85° C. (5 mmHg).