1-Bromo-2-Chloroethane → 1-(3-Methylphenyl)cyclopropane-1-carbonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a stirred solution of 2-(m-tolyl)acetonitrile (4.2 g, 32 mmol) in toluene (15 mL) was added sodium hydroxide (30 mL, 50% w/w in water, 375 mmol), 1-bromo-2-chloroethane (9.3 mL, 112 mmol) and (n-Bu)4Br (0.5 g, 1.55 mmol). The mixture was heated at 60° C. overnight. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was diluted with water (40 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure and purified by silica gel chromatography to obtain the title compound.

Provenance & Evidence