Sodium Cyanide → 6-Amino-4-methylnicotinonitrile

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Reaction Steps

A mixture of 2-amino-5-bromo-4-methylpyridine (4.0 g, 21.4 mmol) and copper(I) cyanide (2.2 g, 24.6 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (5 mL) was stirred for 4 h at reflux temperature. The hot mixture was poured into a warm solution of sodium cyanide (4.3 g) in water (13 mL). After the mixture was vigorously shaken, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic extract was washed with 10% aqueous sodium cyanide, saturated brine solution and evaporated. The title compound was obtained as a solid after chromatography on silica gel (15% acetone/hexane); yield 1.81 g (64%).

Provenance & Evidence