Ethyl Acetate → Methyl 3-cyano-4-methylbenzoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 5.7 g of methyl 3-iodo-4-methylbenzoate in 35 mL of DMF (degassed) was added 1.94 g (16.5 mmol) of Zn(CN)2 and 1.58 g (1.37 mmol) of Pd(PPh3)4. The mixture was stirred at 80° C. in the dark (with the light off) for 6 h. To the mixture was added 50 mL of 10% NH4OH (aq.) and EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with 50 mL of water and 30 mL of brine, and the combined aqueous layers were extracted with EtOAc. The combined extracts were dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated. Purification by flash silica gel chromatography (10% EtOAc/hexanes) provided about 3 g of methyl 3-cyano-4-methylbenzoate as a pale yellow solid.

Provenance & Evidence