Sodium Cyanide → 3,5-dimethylpyridine-2-carbonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a cooled (0° C.) solution of sodium cyanide (49.0 g, 0.999 mol, 3.0 eq.) in 135 mL of water (air free) was dripped 1-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl pyridinium methyl sulfate (83.0g, 0.33 mol) in 100 mL water (air free) in 11/4 hr., keeping the temperature below 3° C. The reaction mixture was stored at about 3° C. overnight. The mixture was filtered and washed with water to give 40 g of the title compound. An analytical sample was recrystallized from isopropyl ether and pentane (4:1) (m.p. 61°-62° C.).

Provenance & Evidence