Methyl cyanoacetate → 4-(Cyanoacetyl)morpholine

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A nitrogen inerted reactor equipped with reflux condenser, nitrogen inlet and mechanical stirring is charged with morpholine (1.2 mol), methyl cyanoacetate (1.0 mol) and MtBE (52 mL). The homogeneous solution is heated to ca. 55° C. and stirred at that temperature for 12 to 18 hours. MtBE (33 mL) is added over ca. 15 minutes, and the solution is slowly cooled below 50° C. where nucleation becomes evident. Additional MTBE (66 μL) is added over a 1-hour period. During this time, the reaction is allowed to cool to near ambient temperature. After complete MtBE addition, the reaction is cooled with stirring to ca. 0° C. The resulting precipitate is collected via filtration and the cake is washed with additional MtBE (ca. 40 mL). The solid is dried under vacuum at ca. 45° C. to provide 3-morpholin-4-yl-3-oxo-propionitrile (139 g). This material is used in subsequent steps without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence