Water → 2-(4-Ethylphenylmethyl)malononitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixed solution of 4-ethylbenzyl bromide (10.0 g), malononitrile (6.64 g), potassium carbonate (6.94 g) and tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (648 mg) in toluene (100 ml) was agitated at room temperature for 17 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate twice. The extract was washed successively with water and brine, and dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=6:1) to give 2-(4-ethylphenylmethyl)malononitrile (3.28 g) as a colorless solid.

Provenance & Evidence