N-[4-chloro-2-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2,2-dimethylpropanamide → N-(4-cyano-2-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)pivalamide

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of N-[4-chloro-2-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (0.257 g, 0.875 mmol) in NMP (2.5 mL) was treated with copper cyanide (0.180 g, 2.01 mmol) and the resulting suspension was heated to 200° C. in a microwave for 14 h. The cooled reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and water and then filtered through a pad of celite. The filtrate was concentrated to a brown oil and then partitioned between Et2O and water. The aqueous portion was further extracted with Et2O and the combined organics were dried (Na2SO4), filtered, and concentrated to a brown foam. Trituration with hexanes/Et2O afforded the title compound (0.222 g) in good purity: MS (ES) m/z 285 (M+1).

Provenance & Evidence