Diethyl Ether → Benzeneacetonitrile, 4-chloro-alpha-(1-methylethyl)-

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

469 g (3.1 mol) of 4-chlorobenzyl cyanide, 30 g of tetrabutylammonium bromide, 1500 g of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution and 438 g (3.56 mol) of isopropyl bromide are initially introduced into a 4 l multineck apparatus with reflux condenser and internal thermometer. The temperature rises after the stirrer is switched on. It is maintained at 40° C. for 4 h, initially by cooling and later by heating. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, poured into a mixture of 500 ml of ether and 500 ml of water, the aqueous phase is separated off, and the organic phase is washed successively with 5% strength hydrochloric acid, sodium bicarbonate solution and water. After having been dried with sodium sufate, the solvent is removed by distillation. The residue remaining is 585.3 g of 97% pure 4-α-isopropylbenzyl cyanide. The product is pure enough for the subsequent hydrogenation.

Provenance & Evidence