Dimethylformamide → 3-Methoxy-4-methylbenzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of chlorosulphonyl isocyanate (5.35 ml.) in dichloromethane (3 ml.) was added over 45 minutes to a stirred suspension of 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoic acid (9.97 g.) in dichloromethane (18 ml.) at reflux under an atomosphere of nitrogen. The resulting bright-red homogeneous solution was heated under reflux for 45 minutes, chilled in an ice-bath, and treated dropwise with N,N-dimethylformamide (9.5 ml.), over 15 minutes. After stirring for 30 minutes at 0° C., the orange solution was poured onto ice. The organic layer was separated, washed with water (5×20 ml.), dried (MgSO4) and evaporated. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC (SiO2, 10:90 v/v hexane: toluene) to give 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzonitrile (5.28 g., 60%) as a white solid, m.p. 51°-52.5° C.

Provenance & Evidence