Methyl Crotonate → Methyl 3-methyl-4-cyano-4-(2-cyano-3-pyridyl)butyrate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A catalytic amount of a 5% strength methanolic sodium methylate solution is added to a mixture of 4.9 g (0.03 mol) of 2-cyano-3-pyridylacetonitrile and 3.4 g (0.03 mol) of methyl crotonate with stirring at a rate such that the reaction temperature remains below 40° C. When the evolution of heat has subsided, the mixture is neutralized using dilute acetic acid. The mixture is extracted with chloroform and the organic phase is dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified over a silica gel column using chloroform as eluent.

Provenance & Evidence