Sulfuric Acid → 2-Difluoromethoxy-alpha-cyano-benzyl alcohol

Participants

Reaction Steps

7.2 g of potassium cyanide were dissolved in 30 ml of water and 6 ml of ethanol, while cooling. 16 g of 2-difluoromethoxybenzaldehyde were then added at 0°-5° C., while cooling. After subsequently stirring the mixture between 0° and 10° C. for 20 minutes, a mixture of 7 ml of concentrated H2SO4 and 18 ml of water was added dropwise. The mixture was subsequently stirred for a further 2 hours and was thereby allowed to come to room temperature. After extracting twice with methylene chloride, the organic phase was dried and the solvent was distilled off. 2-Difluoromethoxy-α-cyano-benzyl alcohol was obtained as a colorless oil, the structure of which was confirmed by a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum. The yield was virtually quantitative.

Provenance & Evidence