Water → 2-[5-Methoxy-2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-benzofuran-7-yl]-propionitrile

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Reaction Steps

To a solution of acetonitrile 18 (0.200 g, 0.682 mmole) in 10 mL dimethylformamide was added pulverized potassium hydroxide (0.046 g, 0.818 mmole) and methyl iodide (0.161 g, 0.818 mmole). After stirring at rt for 2 hours, the orange reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, water, brine, and dried with magnesium sulfate. The organic phases were concentrated and the residue was loaded on to silica gel and chromatographed with silica gel (hexanes:ethyl acetate, 95:5) to afford 0.087 g (42%) of propionitrile 19 as a white solid. Used as is for conversion to 21, infra.

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