Pyridine → 2,2-Dimethyl-3-oxo-5-pyridin-4-yl-pent-4-enenitrile

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Reaction Steps

Pyridine-4-carboxaldehyde (6.9 ml, 72 mmol) was added to dry pyridine (16 ml) under argon. 2,2-Dimethyl-3-oxo-butyronitrile {J. K. Rasmussen et al., Synthesis, 1973, 682} (8.0 g, 72 mmol) and diethylamine (7.3 ml, 71 mmol) were subsequently added and the solution heated under reflux for 18 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was poured into water and ethyl acetate. The mixture was separated and the aqueous phase re-extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were dried and concentrated in vacuo to yield a solid which was triturated with diethyl ether to give the title compound (8.5 g, 59%); MS (ES+) m/e 201 [M+H]+.

Provenance & Evidence