4-Bromobutyronitrile → 4-(5-Methyl-4-imidazolylmethylthio)butyronitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

Sodium (5.0 g) was dissolved in ethanol (300 ml) and 5-methyl-4-(mercaptomethyl)imidazole (17 g) added, followed by a solution of 4-bromobutyronitrile (16 g) in ethanol (50 ml). The mixture was stirred under reflux for 45 minutes, cooled, filtered and the filtrate evaporated to dryness. The residue was taken up in water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried (MgSO4) and solvent removed. Recrystallisation of the product from ethanol-ether gave 4-(5-methyl-4-imidazolylmethylthio)butyronitrile as its hydrochloride salt (12 g).

Provenance & Evidence