Potassium Cyanide → Methyl 3-(cyanomethyl)benzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of methyl 3-(bromomethyl)benzoate (10.0 g, 44 mmol) in acetonitrile (100 mL) were added potassium cyanide (5.7 g, 87 mmol) and 18-crown-6 (1.0 g), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 days. The reaction mixture was filtrated, the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (ethyl acetate/hexane=5/95→30/70). The combined solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound (7.0 g, 91%) as a colorless oil.

Provenance & Evidence