Ethanol → 4-Methoxybenzoylacetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A 25.0 g. portion of α-bromo-p-methoxyacetophenone is suspended in 125 ml. of ethanol. A solution of 16.0 g. of sodium cyanide in 75 ml. of water is added, using an ice-water bath to keep the temperature at 25°-30° C. The mixture is stirred for 45 minutes at room temperature. A total of 1.2 liters of water is added in 200 ml. increments with filtration through celite until no more precipitate forms. The filtrate is acidified to pH 5 with acetic acid. The solid is collected, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from benzene giving p-methoxybenzoylacetonitrile.

Provenance & Evidence