4-Picoline N-oxide → 2-Cyano-4-methylpyridine

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a suspension of 4-picoline N-oxide (13.64 g, 0.124 mole) in 82 ml of THF, under an inert atmosphere, was added trimethylsilyl cyanide (20.1 ml, 0.15 mole) followed by 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) (4.4 ml, 0.028 mole). After stirring at 25° C. for 12 hours, the reaction mixture was heated to reflux. After 4.5 hours, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the crude sample was eluted with methylene chloride through a pad of Florisil®. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to provide (8.7 g, 60%) of 2-cyano-4-methyl pyridine, a white crystalline solid: mp 88–89° C. Anal. Calc'd. for C7H6N2: C, 71.17; H, 5.12; N, 23.71. Found: C, 70.17; H, 5.12; N, 23.44.

Provenance & Evidence