Pyridine → 3-(Cyanodiphenylmethyl)-1-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid, methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 36.5 g (0.10 mole) of α-(1-benzyl-3-pyrrolidinyl)-α,α-diphenylacetonitrile and 8.7 g (0.11 mole) of pyridine in methylene chloride was added dropwise at 25° C., 10.4 g (0.11 mole) of methyl chloroformate. The solution was refluxed for 16 hr. To the refluxing solution was added 26.1 g (0.33 mole) of pyridine and 31.2 g (0.33 mole) additional methyl chloroformate. Heating at reflux was continued for 5 hr. The mixture was cooled and washed four times with water. The methylene chloride layer was dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residual oil was crystallized twice from a mix of petroleum ether (30°-60°) and isopropanol to give 22 g (68%) of title product, m.p. 133°-135° C.

Provenance & Evidence