Dimethylformamide → (6-Fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl)acetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

Combine KCN (50.8 g, 0.78 mol), 3-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)-6-fluoroindole (100 g, 0.52 mol), DMF (400 mL) and water (200 mL). Heat to reflux. Evolution of gas begins at about 70° C. Maintain the reflux for 4 hours. Cool the reaction mixture to room temperature, dilute with water and toluene and stir for 10 minutes. Decant the organic layer and wash successively with of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and of 2M aqueous hydrochloric acid. Concentrate to dryness the organic layer to give 2-(6-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl)acetonitrile.

Provenance & Evidence