Potassium Cyanide → 4-Chloro-2-methylbenzeneacetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Step B To a solution of 4-chloro-2-methylbenzyl chloride (5.2 g, 30 mmol) in ethanol (40 mL) was added an aqueous solution (30 mL) of KCN (5 g, 77 mmol) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then heated at 100° C. for 2 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and concentrated. The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The organic layer was separated, concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography (EtOAc:hexanes=1:10, then 1:4) to give 4-chloro-2-methylbenzyl cyanide as a yellow oil (3.5 g, 66%).

Provenance & Evidence