Allyl bromide → 2-Methyl-2-phenylpent-4-enenitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 2-phenylpropionitrile (4.04 g, 30.79 mmol) in 40 mL of DMSO was added 34 mL (34 mmol) of a 1 M solution of sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (NaHMDS) in THF over a 5 minute period. After 10 minutes, allyl bromide (6 mL, 69.33 mmol) was added dropwise (exothermic). The mixture was cooled with an ice-water bath. The mixture stirred for 20 minutes, becoming a solid mass. An additional 20 mL of DMSO was added. After 10 minutes, the mixture was diluted with 200 mL of ammonium chloride and extracted with three 100 mL portions of ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with six 75 mL portions of brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to afford 5.25 g (99.5% yield) of 2-methyl-2-phenylpent-4-enenitrile as yellow oil which was used without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence