Water → 2-(2-Methylpyridin-3-yl)acetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

The mixture of 3-chloromethyl-2-methylpyridine (9.2 g) and sodium cyanide (9.55 g) in dimethyl sulfoxide (80 ml) was stirred for 30 minutes at 80° C. The reaction mixture was poured into a mixture of water (200 ml) and ethyl acetate (1 l). Organic layer was separated, washed with brine and dried over magnesium sulfate. Concentration of the solvent gave a residue, which was chromatographed on silica gel (300 ml) eluting with a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate (1:4, V/V) to give 3-cyanomethyl-2-methylpyridine (7.6 g).

Provenance & Evidence