Citric Acid → 2-(Cyanomethyl)-5-methylbenzoic acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

6-Methyl-2-hydroxyimino-1-indanone (37 g) and sodium hydroxide (19.7 g) were dissolved in water (287 mL), and p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (44.3 g) was added with stirring at 50° C. After the completion of the reaction, aqueous citric acid solution was added to acidify the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated. Ether was added to the precipitated crystals, and the crystals were collected by filtration to give 2-cyanomethyl-5-methylbenzoic acid (16.3 g).

Provenance & Evidence