Hydrochloric Acid → 4-Hydroxy-3-methylbenzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A mixed solution of 10.89 g (58 mmol) of 4-bromo-cresol and 10.39 g (116 mmol) of copper cyanide in 50 ml of NMP was stirred at 190° C. for 2 hours, followed by the addition of 43 g of FeCl3.6H2O, 65 ml of water and 11 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The resulting mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 30 minutes and was then allowed to cool down. Water and ethyl acetate were added to the reaction mixture, followed by separation into a water layer and an organic layer. The organic layer was dried over Na2SO4, and the solvent was then distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue as purified by column chromatography (chloroform/methanol=40/1), whereby 10.32 g of 4-cyanocresol were obtained as a dark brown oil.

Provenance & Evidence