Phenylacetonitrile → 3,4-Dioxo-2,5-diphenylhexanedinitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

Ethyl 3-cyano-3-phenylpyruvate (50.0 g., 0.23 m.) and 41.0 g. (0.35 m.) of phenylacetonitrile are added to an alcoholic solution of sodium ethylate [prepared from 13.4 g. (0.58 g. atom) of sodium and 360 ml. of absolute ehtanol] and the resulting yellow solution is refluxed for one and three-quarter hours. The cooled solution is diluted with 700 ml. of water and acidified by slow addition of acetic acid. After further cooling in ice, the suspension is filtered and the removed solid washed with water and dried to give 2,5-diphenyl-3,4-dioxoadiponitrile, m.p. 284°-286° C. (d.).

Provenance & Evidence