Ammonia → N-tert-Butyl-3-methylpyridine-2-carboxamide

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Suspend 2-cyano-3-methyl pyridine (400 g) in t-butanol (800 mL) and heat to 70° C. Add concentrated H2SO4 (400 mL) dropwise over 45 minutes. Maintain the temperature at 75° C., until the reaction is complete, and for an additional 30 minutes. Dilute the mixture with water (400 mL), charge with toluene (600 mL) and bring to pH 10 with concentrated aqueous ammonia. Maintain the temperature at 50°-55° C. during the work up. Separate the toluene phase, and reextract the aqueous layer. Combine toluene phases and wash with water. Remove the toluene to yield the title compound N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-methyl-2-pyridine carboxamide, as an oil, from which solid product is crystallized. (Yield 97%, as determined by an internal standard assay with gas chromatography).

Provenance & Evidence