Pyridine → 2-(3,4-Bisdifluoromethoxyphenyl)acetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 3,4-bisdifluoromethoxybenzyl alcohol (26.4 g, 110 mmol) and pyridine (9.79 mL, 120 mmol) in chloroform (200 mL) under an argon atmosphere was treated with thionyl chloride (9.62 mL, 130 mmol) and the mixture was heated at reflux for 1 h. The solvent was removed, ether was added and the precipitate was removed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated to a purple oil. To a solution of this 3,4-bisdifluoromethoxybenzyl chloride in dimethylformamide (200 mL) under an argon atmosphere was added sodium cyanide (11.86 g, 240 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred and gently heated at 45° C. for 3 h, was cooled and was concentrated. The mixture was partitioned between ether and 5% aqueous sodium carbonate and was extracted five times with ether. The organic extract was washed once with brine, was dried (sodium carbonate) and the solvent was removed in vacuo to provide an oil (27 g).

Provenance & Evidence