Ethanol → 2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenylacetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 75 g. (0.31 mole) of o-trifluoromethylbenzyl bromide, 120 g. (0.55 mole) of potassium cyanide, 150 ml. of water and 600 ml. of absolute ethanol is stirred and heated under reflux for 20 hours. The reaction mixture is diluted with 4 liters of water and is extracted with 500 ml. of ether. The extract is dried over anhydrous potassium carbonate and evaporated. Distillation gives 45 g. of the desired product b.p. 103°-105° C./10 mm.

Provenance & Evidence