Water → 3-Phenoxyphthalonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 1,2-dicyano-3-nitrobenzene (2.77 parts) and sodium phenoxide (2.79 parts) in dimethylformamide (50 parts) was stirred at 120° C. for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with diethyl ether (100 parts). The diethyl ether extract was washed with 5% aqueous potassium hydroxide solution (2×200 parts) and water (2×200 parts) and the diethyl ether was removed under reduced pressure to leave a solid. Recrystallisation of the solid from a 1:1 diethyl ether:petroleum spirit (b.pt.60°-80° C.) gave 1,2-dicyano-3-phenoxybenzene (2.1 parts, 60%) as a pale green solid, m.pt.110°-112° C.

Provenance & Evidence