Water → 4-(Oxoacetyl)benzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 4-cyanophenacyl bromide (11.20 g, 49.99 mmol) in dimethylsulfoxide (83 mL) was treated with water (0.90 mL, 49.99 mmol). After stirring for 24 h at room temperature, it was poured into ice-water, and extracted with ether. The organic layer was washed with water and then brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography eluting 20-50% ethyl acetate in hexane to afford 4-cyanophenylglyoxal (5.10 g, 64.1%) as a yellow solid.

Provenance & Evidence