Ethyl bromoacetate → 3-Cyano-3-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)pentanedioic acid diethyl ester

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Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Combine 3,4-dimethylphenylacetonitrile (50.0 mmol) and tetrahydrofuran (140 mL). Cool to about 5° C. Add dropwise a solution of sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (800 mL, 1 M in tetrahydrofuran, 800 mmol). When the addition is complete, warm the reaction mixture to ambient temperature and allow to stir for 1 hour. Transfer the above solution via cannula into a cooled (−8° C.) solution of ethyl bromoacetate (84.5 mL, 762 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (500 mL) at such a rate that the temperature of the reaction mixture does not rise above 20° C. Allow to stir at ambient temperature. After 18 hours, dilute with diethyl ether (1.5 L) and extract with saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride, then water, and then saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride. Dry the organic layer over MgSO4, filter, and concentrate in vacuo to give the title compound.

Provenance & Evidence