Water → N-{2-[6-(cyanomethyl)-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl]ethyl}acetamide

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Reaction Steps

4.7 g of N-(6-chloromethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl) acetamide was dissolved in 10 ml of DMSO and 1.32 g (0.028 mole) of sodium cyanide added to the stirred solution. Within a few minutes, the temperature rose from 25° to 32° C. After 1.5 hrs at ambient temperature the mixture was poured into ice and water. The suspension was extracted with three 50-ml portions of benzene. The benzene layers were washed with saturated brine six times, then with water, the solution dried, and the solvent distilled in the rotary evaporator leaving the above-named product as a crystalline solid, m.p. 153.3-155.5.

Provenance & Evidence