Dimethylformamide → 3-Phenoxybenzaldehyde

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Reaction Steps

Into 150 ml. of dimethyl formamide 60.45 g. of 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde bisulfite are added, whereupon a solution of 12.51 g. of sodium cyanide in 60 ml. of water is poured into the mixture at 5° to 10° C. under cooling with ice water, in 25 to 35 minutes. The mixture is stirred to 10° to 12° C. for 1 hour and 62 ml. of acetic acid are added at 10° to 15° C., dropwise, in 25 to 30 minutes. The reaction mixture is stirred for an additional 20 minutes, whereupon it is poured into a vigurously stirred mixture of 500 ml. of water and 300 ml. of ethylacetate. From the organic phase 44 g. of 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde cyanehydrin are isolated. The purity of the product obtained is better than 95% (determined by NMR spectroscopy).

Provenance & Evidence