Ethyl isonicotinate → 2-Cyano-2-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-1-(4-pyridyl)ethanone

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of ethyl isonicotinate (12 g) and 4-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)phenylacetonitrile (9.1 g) in tert-butyl alcohol (36 mL), was added potassium tert-butoxide (7.3 g), and the mixture was stirred at 100° C. for 3 h. After cooling, the resulting mixture was dissolved in water and washed with isopropyl ether. The aqueous phase was adjusted to pH 7.0 with 2 N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water, dried, and the solvent was evaporated. The crystalline residue was recrystallized from ethyl acetate-isopropyl ether to obtain 2-cyano-2-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-1-(4-pyridyl)ethanone (5.09 g, yield 35%).

Provenance & Evidence