Water → 2-[4-(4-Chloro-butyryl)-phenyl]-2-methyl-propionitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

Dissolve 1-[4-(1-bromo-1-methyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-4-chloro-butan-1-one (2.00 g, 6.59 mmol) in anhydrous methylene chloride (20 mL) and place under an argon atmosphere. Add trimethylsilyl cyanide (1.10 mL, 8.25 mmol) followed by tin (IV) chloride (0.20 mL, 1.7 mmol) via syringe. Stir at reflux for 1 hour, add water (20 mL) and stir for an additional ½ hour. Separate the layers and extract the aqueous layer with methylene chloride. Combine the organic layers, wash with brine, dry (MgSO4), filter and evaporate the solvent in vacuo. Purify by silica gel chromatography (15% ethyl acetate/hexane) to give the title compound as a white solid; mp 79-80° C.

Provenance & Evidence