Acetonitrile → 4,4,4-Trifluoro-3-oxobutanenitrile

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Reaction Steps

A solution of ethyl trifluoroacetate (14.2 g, 0.1 mol) and anhydrous acetonitrile (5.0 g, 0.12 mol) in THF (100 mL) was added dropwise to a suspension of NaH (60%, 6.0 g, 0.15 mol) in THF (100 mL) at 80° C. The resulting mixture was heated to reflux overnight, and then cooled to RT. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was diluted with EtOAc and 10% aq HCl. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated in vacuo to yield crude 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxo-butyronitrile (15 g), which was used without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence