Sodium Cyanide → 4-(2-Cyanoethyl)-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran

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Reaction Steps

A solution of methanesulfonic acid 2-(2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-4-yl)-ethyl ester (1.71 g) in dimethylsulfoxide (14 ml) was treated with sodium cyanide (381 mg) and heated at 80° for 1 h. The suspension was cooled to 20°, diluted with water (14 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×17 ml). The combined extracts were washed with 5% aqueous sodium chloride (17 ml), dried (Na2SO4) and the solvent evaporated to give the title compound (1.22 g) as a brown oil which crystallised on standing.

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