Sodium Cyanide → (5-Chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)acetonitrile

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Reaction Steps

To a solution of methyl 5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoate (25.4 g, 127 mmol) in ether (200 ml), cooled in an ice water bath, was added dropwise lithium tetrahydroaluminate (1 M in diethyl ether, 110 ml, 110 mmol). After 2 hours the reaction was quenched with water and then acidified to pH 3 with hydrochloric acid (6 M aqueous solution). The layers were separated and the organic layer dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give a white solid. The solid was dissolved dichloromethane (200 ml) and treated with thionyl chloride (25 ml, 340 mmol). After heating at reflux for 2 hours, the reaction was cooled to room temperature and water added. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer extracted with dichloromethane (2×50 ml). The combined organics were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give an orange solid. This solid was dissolved dimethyl sulphoxide (175 ml), sodium cyanide (12.75 g, 260.2 mmol) added and solution heated to 80° C. for 3 hours. After cooling to room temperature, water was added and a solid formed that was filtered and washed with water to provide the title compound as an off white solid, 20.8 g, 91% yield.

Provenance & Evidence