Sodium Cyanide → 3-(Cyanomethyl)benzoic acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 3-bromomethylbenzoic acid (2.29 g, 10 mmol) in methanol (30 mL) is added sodium cyanide (0.49 g, 10 mmol) and the mixture is stirred at 70° C. for 2 hrs. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure and water is added to the residue. The mixture is extracted with ether and the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the residue purified by column chromatography using CH2Cl2 as eluent to give 3-cyanomethylbenzoic acid.

Provenance & Evidence