Sodium hydride → (E,E)-4-ethyl-2,4-hexadienenitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a mixture of sodium hydride (60% in oil, 7.5 g) and dry benzene (200 ml) was added dropwise diethyl cyanomethylphosphonate (30 g) with stirring at 0° C. under dry nitrogen atmosphere. After stirring for 60 minutes at room temperature, a solution of (E)-2-ethyl-2-butenal (16.6 g) in dry benzene was added thereto at 0° C. with stirring. The resulting mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 60 minutes and diluted with water and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed successively with water and brine, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. Removal of the solvent gave an oil which was purified by distillation under reduced pressure to give (E,E)-4-ethyl-2,4-hexadienenitrile (8.4 g).

Provenance & Evidence