4-Cyanobenzaldehyde → 2-(4-Cyano-2-nitro-phenyl)-1-(4-cyano-phenyl)-ethanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a 10° C. solution of 4-formyl benzonitrile (65.6 gm, 0.500 mol), 4-methyl-3-nitro benzonitrile (81.1 gm, 0.500 mol) and 750 mL of dry dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), was added sodium methylate (4.01 gm, 75 mmol) in one portion. After 4 hrs, the reaction was added dropwise to 6 L of ice water and then allowed to stir for 1 hr. The product was collected via vacuum filtration and washed with water (3×1 L) and then dried over night in a vacuum oven at 40° C. to give 2-(4-cyano-2-nitro-phenyl)-1-(4-cyano-phenyl)-ethanol.

Provenance & Evidence