Potassium Carbonate → 4-Hydroxy-3-methylbenzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A stirred solution of 4-cyano-2-methylphenyl acetate (5.2 g, 29.7 mmol) in 75 mL of methanol was treated with a solution of potassium carbonate (30 mmol, 4.15 g) in 25 mL of water at room temperature. After 30 minutes, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo and treated with 1 N sulfuric acid. The resulting precipitate was filtered, washed with water, and dried to give 3.1 g of 4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzonitrile as a white solid (78% yield).

Provenance & Evidence