Methanol → m-ethylphenyl-N-methylcyanamide

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of m-ethylphenylcyanamide (1.46 g, 10 mmol) and sodium hydride (480 mg, 20 mmol, pre-washed thrice with hexane) in anhydrous THF (10 ml) was heated at 80°-85° C. for 2.5 hours. After it was allowed to cool to room temperature, methyl iodide (3.5 g, 25 mmol) was added and stirring continued at room temperature for 2 hours. Methanol (10 ml) followed by water (20 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3×25 ml). Concentration of the organic layer followed by flash chromatography on SiO2 afforded N-(m-ethylphenyl)-N-methylcyanamide (960 mg, 60%) as a colorless liquid: IR (film): 2220, 3400 cm-1.

Provenance & Evidence