Cyclopentanone → 1-(Dimethylamino)cyclopentanecarbonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred, ice cooled mixture of dimethylamine hydrochloride (26.32.g; 0.323 mol) and cyclopentanone (27.15 g; 0.323 mol) was added dropwise a solution of potassium cyanide (21.02 g; 0.323 mol) in water (170 ml) over 10 min. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Then, the mixture was extracted into diethylether (2×200 ml) and the combined organics were washed with brine (200 ml), dried (Na2SO4), and evaporated in vacuo to afford the title product as a colourless liquid (43 g, 96.5%)

Provenance & Evidence