Toluene → alpha-Formyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzeneacetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a slurry of 30.0 g. of sodium methoxide in 1200 ml. of toluene and 43.4 g. of ethyl formate is added dropwise with stirring 98.75 g. of 3-(trifluoromethyl)benzeneacetonitrile in 75 ml. of toluene over a 10 minute period. The temperature of the mixture rises to 35° C. and the mixture thickens. Stirring is continued for 2 hours and then one liter of water is added. The aqueous layer is acidified and a precipitate is formed by scratching to give 85.0 g. of the product of the Example as a white solid, m.p. 103°-106.5° C.

Provenance & Evidence