Acetonitrile → Benzoylacetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of benzoic acid methyl ester (1.0 equiv.) and methyl cyanide (2.0 equiv.) in anhydrous THF (1.0 M) was added sodium hydride (60% in mineral oil, 2 equiv.) under nitrogen. After the resulting reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. overnight, the reaction mixture was quenched with ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtered. Concentration under vacuum afforded the crude product as a brown solid. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 7.94-7.92 (m, 2H), 7.69-7.65 (m, 1H), 7.55-7.54 (m, 2H), 4.08 (s, 2H).

Provenance & Evidence