Ethanol → m-Phenoxybenzyl cyanide

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 218 g. m-phenoxy-benzyl chloride in 850 ml. of 96% ethyl alcohol a solution of 57.8 g. of sodium cyanide in 100 ml. of water is added at once. The reaction mixture is boiled under stirring until the starting material cannot be detected anymore by thin layer chromatography. When the reaction is completed the reaction mixture is poured into 1 liter of water and the separating oil is extracted with 3×500 ml. of benzene. The combined benzene solutions are washed with 1 liter of water and dried above sodium sulphate. Sodium sulphate is filtered off and benzene is distilled off. 190 g. (91%) of m-phenoxy-benzyl cyanide are obtained (purity more than 90%, determined by gas chromatography). Boiling point 138° C./0.2 mmHg.

Provenance & Evidence