Ammonia → 2-Amino-3-methylbenzonitrile

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Reaction Steps

To a solution of 2-bromo-6-methylaniline (126 μL, 1 mmol) in dry NMP (3 mL) was added CuCN (197 mg, 2.2 mmol). The mixture was irradiated in a microwave at 220° C. for 40 minutes, cooled to room temperature and poured into a mixture of ammonia (50% w/v, 10 mL) and ice. The mixture was stirred for 30 min and the product was extracted with dichloromethane (3×20 mL). The organic layers were combined, washed with water and brine, dried over MgSO4 and concentrated. The crude material was purified on silica gel (50% EtOAc/hexanes) to yield a brown oil that crystallized on standing (128 mg, 96%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ2.08 (s, 3H), 5.68 (bs, 2H), 6.51-6.55 (t, 1H), 7.17-7.19 (d, 1H), 7.22-7.24 (dd, 1H). MS 133 (MH+).

Provenance & Evidence