Methyl cyanoacetate → Methyl 1-cyanocyclopentane-1-carboxylate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Methyl cyanoacetate (Fluka; 25 g, 252.3 mmol) and potassium carbonate (83.7 g, 605.5 mmol) were stirred in DMF (250 mL). 1,4-Dibromobutane (Aldrich; 30.1 mL, 252.3 mmol) was slowly added. This caused and exotherm that continued after the addition was completed and a water bath was used to prevent the temperature exceeding 90° C. The mixture slowly cooled to ambient temperature and was stirred overnight and then heated at 75° C. for 3 hours.

Provenance & Evidence