Dimethylformamide → Methyl 3-bromo-5-cyanobenzoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of methyl 3-bromo-5-iodobenzoate (4.5 g, 13.2 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (36 mL) was treated with zinc cyanide (1.7 g, 14.5 mmol) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (Pd(PPh3)4, 1.5 g, 1.3 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated, under an argon atmosphere, for 1 hour at 80° C. After cooling the mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate. The resulting organic solution was washed with water (3×), saturated brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Silica gel chromatography using a gradient of hexane to 10% ethyl acetate in hexane afforded 1.9 g (61%) of methyl 3-bromo-5-cyanobenzoate.

Provenance & Evidence