Malononitrile → 4-Benzyloxybenzoylmalononitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Diethylcyanophosphonate (5 mmol) and triethylamine (15 mmol) are added to a solution of 4-benzyloxybenzoic acid (18, 5 mmol) and malononitrile (4.8 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) stirred at 0° C. After the addition is complete, stirring is continued as the solution is allowed to warm to ambient temperature. Progress of the reaction is followed by tlc and when complete, the reaction solution is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in EtOAc and washed with cold 1N HCl and then with aq. NaHCO3. The alkaline bicarbonate wash is acidified with 6N HCl and the mixture is extracted with EtOAc. The combined EtOAc extract solutions are dried (Na2SO4), filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure, giving the desired 4-benzyloxybenzoylmalononitrile 19. The product is used in the next step without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence