2-Chlorobenzonitrile → 2-(Cyano(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)benzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred solution of 700 gr potassium tert-butoxide in 3.6 ltr N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is added gradually a solution of 401.4 gr 4-fluorobenzylcyanide and 429.2 gr 2-chlorobenzonitrile in 1.2 ltr DMF, maintaining an internal temperature between 25° C. and 30° C. (ice bath). The reaction mixture is subsequently stirred for one hour at ambient temperature and quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid. Extractive work-up with diethylether gives the product 2-cyano-4'-fluorobenzhydrylcyanide.

Provenance & Evidence