Acrylonitrile → alpha,4-Dichloro-2-(benzoyl)benzenepropanenitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 92.7 g (0.4 mole) of 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone in 250 ml of acetonitrile was added to a mixture of 70 g (0.52 mole) of cupric chloride, 65 g (0.63 mole) of t-butylnitrite, 500 ml of acrylonitrile, and 500 ml of acetonitrile. When the addition was complete stirring at room temperature was continued for 2 hr. The mixture was diluted with 80 ml of 6 N hydrochloric acid and 1500 ml of water, extracted with ether and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The ether solution was concentrated at reduced pressure to give a brown oil, which contained the end product and 2,5-dichlorobenzophenone. Trituration of the oil with a mixture of ether and petroleum ether gave the end product as a tan solid. Recrystallization of a small portion of the end product from a mixture of ether and petroleum ether gave pale yellow needles, mp 69°-71°.

Provenance & Evidence