Methanol → 2-(Hydroxymethyl)pyridine-4-carbonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 4-cyanopyridine (10.4 g) in methanol (180 mL), a solution of conc. sulfuric acid (6.98 mL) in water (90 mL) and ammonium peroxodisulfate (45.6 g) were successively added at room temperature, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 14 hr. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure, and 28% aqueous ammonia (40 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was extracted with a mixed solvent of ethyl acetate and THF, and the extract was washed with saturated brine, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (ethyl acetate/hexane) to give the title compound (5.08 g) as a pale-yellow solid.

Provenance & Evidence