Sodium Cyanide → 2-(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)acetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 4-bromo-1-(bromomethyl)-2-fluorobenzene (500 g, 1.87 mol) in EtOH (2.2 L) stirred under nitrogen at 20° C. was added NaCN (93 g, 1.90 mmol) in one charge. The reaction mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 12 h. Then the solution was concentrated and distributed between DCM (2000 mL) and saturated NaHCO3 solution (1800 mL). Another batch was repeated using the same procedure. Then the two batches were combined. The combined organic extract was washed with brine, dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated to provide 2-(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)acetonitrile (794 g, 99% yield): 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.38-7.27 (m, 3H), 3.72 (s, 2H).

Provenance & Evidence