Propionitrile → 3-(1-Cyanoethyl)benzoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

3-Carboxybenzyne prepared from 2-chlorobenzoic acid in the presence of a strong base is reacted with propionitrile to produce alpha-(m-carboxyphenyl)propionitrile (R. Biehl et al., J. Org. Chem., 31, 602 (1966)). The alpha-(m-carboxyphenyl)propionitrile is converted to alpha-(m-chlorocarbonylphenyl)propionitrile by using thionyl chloride. Friedel-Crafts reaction of alpha-(m-chlorocarbonylphenyl)propionitrile with benzene using aluminum chloride affords alpha-(m-benzoylphenyl)propionitrile. Hydrolysis of the alpha-(m-benzoylphenyl)propionitrile with methanol/sodium hydroxide gives alpha-(m-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid (see British Pat. No. 1,360,560).

Provenance & Evidence