Acetic Anhydride → 2-(Acetyloxy)-4-methylbenzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 2-Hydroxy-4-methylbenzonitrile (0.563 g, 4.23 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (21 mL) was added acetic anhydride (0.60 mL, 6.36 mmol) followed by triethylamine (1.20 mL, 8.61 mmol) and the resultant solution was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The mixture was diluted with CH2Cl2 (60 mL), washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (20 mL) and brine (2×20 mL). The organic phase was dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated and provided 0.72 g (97%) of (2-cyano-5-methyl-phenyl) acetate as a white solid. 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.38 (s, 3H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 7.08 (s, 1H), 7.13 (d, 1H, J=9 Hz), 7.54 (d, 1H, J=9 Hz).

Provenance & Evidence