Methanol → 3-(4-Cyanobenzylidene)-2-pyrrolidone

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 5.0 g of N-acetyl-2-pyrrolidone and 5.17 g of 4-cyanobenzaldehyde in 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise to a suspension of 5.36 g of sodium hydride (55% in oil) in 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran at 5°-10° C. and the mixture is then stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour. Excess sodium hydride is eliminated by the addition of some methanol, and the reaction mixture is poured onto ice and neutralized with glacial acetic acid. The precipitate is suction-filtered and dissolved in a methylene chloride/methanol mixture, and the solution is dried and evaporated down. The residue is triturated with ether and suction-filtered. 1.4 g of 3-(4-cyanobenzylidene)-2-pyrrolidone are obtained as a colourless powder of melting point 260° C.

Provenance & Evidence