Bromoacetonitrile → Ethyl 3-cyano-2,2-bis(4-fluorophenyl)propanoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of ethyl 2,2-bis(4-fluorophenyl)acetate (0.28 g, 1.00 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran at −78° C. was added lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (1.0 M in hexane) (1.00 mL, 1.00 mmol) dropwise via syringe under nitrogen. The reaction was brought to 0° C. and stirred for one hour. The reaction was re-cooled to −78° C. and then bromoacetonitrile (0.69 mL, 1.00 mmol) was added as a solution in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL). The reaction was stirred for 2 hours while the temperature was allowed to reach room temperature. The reaction was quenched with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution and extracted with diethyl ether. The organics were washed with brine, dried with MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (10% ethyl acetate/hexanes), to obtain the title compound. MS (DCI+) m/z 333 (M+NH4)+.

Provenance & Evidence