Phenylacetonitrile → 1-Benzylcyclopropylamine

Participants

Reaction Steps

4.5 g (38 mmol) of phenylacetonitrile was dissolved in 50 mL of tetrahydrofuran, mixed with 12.4 mL (41.9 mmol) of tetraisopropyl propylorthotitanate and 78 mL (76 mmol) of 0.98M ethylmagnesium bromide in tetrahydrofuran and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. After the stirring, 9.6 mL (78 mmol) of boron trifluoride ethyl ether complex was added, and the reaction solution was stirred at room temperature for another 1 hour. After completion of the reaction, 2 M aqueous sodium hydroxide was added, and the reaction solution was extracted with diethyl ether. After addition of 3 M hydrochloric acid, the organic layer was separated. The resulting aqueous layer was basified with 5 M aqueous sodium hydroxide and extracted with methylene chloride. The solvent was removed from the organic layer under reduced pressure to give 3.28 g of the desired product.

Provenance & Evidence