Bromine → 3'-Bromo-4'-methyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2-carbonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 5.2 g (27 mmol) of 4'-methyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2-nitrile (Example 69, Step B) in 60 mL of methylene chloride at 0° C. was treated with 6.7 g of silver trifluoroacetate (30 mmol). When all the silver trifluoroacetate was dissolved, 1.6 mL of bromine was added dropwise (4.95 g, 31 mmol) with vigorous stirring. After two hours, the reaction mixture was filtered and the solid washed with methylene chloride. The combined organic layers were washed once with dilute (<1N) aqueous sodium hydroxide and once with brine. The organic layer was removed, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The residue was purified by preparative high pressure liquid chromatography on silica, eluting with 10% ether/hexane to give 3 g (41%) of product. 1H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl3): 2.46 (s, 3H), 7.2-7.8 (m,7H).

Provenance & Evidence