1-Isocyano-4-methylbenzene

PreparationTo a flask containing 5.4 gm (0.05 mole) of p-toluidine in 100 ml of dry 1,2-dimethoxyethane is added 28 gm (0.15 mole) of sodium trichloroacetate. The reaction is slightly exothermic. The reaction mixture is refluxed for hr, whereupon carbon dioxide is copiously evolved. The reaction mixture is filtered, the solid (10 gm) is washed with ether, and the combined reddish black filtrate concentrated. The residue is extracted with ether, washed with water, dried, and concentrated to afford a red-black oil, which, upon distillation, gives 2.5 gm (43%), b.p. 38°C (1 mm Hg), m.p. 19-20°C of a yellow liquid, IR, 4.69 μ (—NC).