Benzene, (2-chloroethoxy)- → 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-phenoxybutanenitrile

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Reaction Steps

To a flask was added 7.2 g. (0.150 mole) of a 50% oil dispersion of sodium hydride. After washing the sodium hydride several times with hexane to remove the mineral oil, 18.9 g. (0.125 mole) of 4-chlorobenzyl cyanide in 50 ml of dry DMF was added dropwise at 0° C. Upon completion of the addition, the reaction was stirred for one hour while warming to room temperature, then 20.0 g. (0.128 mole) of 1-chloro-2-phenoxyethane was added dropwise at 15° C. over a 30 minute period. The stirred reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature and was complete in two hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with 300 ml. of water and extracted three times with 100 ml. portions of methylene chloride. The combined extracts were washed with dilute hydrochloric acid and water followed by drying using sodium sulfate. Upon removal of the solvent, 33 g. of the crude 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-phenoxybutanenitrile was obtained (96% yield).

Provenance & Evidence