Water → 2-[4-(Aminomethyl)phenyl]benzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 5.85 g (25 mmole) of 4-azidomethyl-2'-cyanobiphenyl (from Step A) in 50 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran was treated portionwise with 6.55 g (25 mmole) of triphenylphospine over 3-4 minutes. The solution was stirred at ambient temperature under N2, and gas evolution proceeded at a moderate rate. A mild exotherm occurred, and the solution was cooled in a water bath as necessary. After 2 hours, by which time gas evolution had ceased, 675 μl (37.5 mmole) of H2O was added, and stirring was continued at room temperature under N2. After 22 hours, the solution was concentrated in vacuo, and the residual oil was chromatographed on a column of silica gel (gradient elution with 2-10% methanol in CH2Cl2). The residue from evaporation of the pooled product fractions was partitioned between ether-CH2Cl2 and saturated Na2CO3 (aqueous). The organic phase was dried (Na2SO4), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to yield 4.64 g (89%) of air-sensitive, nearly white crystals, mp 54°-55° C., homogeneous by TLC in 9:1 CH2Cl2 --MeOH; mass spectrum (FAB) m/e 209(M+1)+.

Provenance & Evidence