Water → 6-Phenylhexanenitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A stirred solution of 15.0 grams (0.0062 mole) of 1- methylsulfonyloxy-5-phenylpentane and 9.1 grams (0.190 mole) of sodium cyanide in 150 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide was heated at 50° C. to 55° C. for about 60 hours. After this time the reaction mixture was poured into 400 mL of water. The mixture was extracted with three 250 mL portions of diethyl ether. The combined extracts were then washed with three 200 mL portions of water and 200 mL of an aqueous solution saturated with sodium chloride. The organic layer was dried with magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure, yielding 10.2 grams of 6-phenylhexanenitrile. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.

Provenance & Evidence