Acetic Acid → 2-Cyanoethyl(n-butyl)phosphinic acid ethyl ester

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Reaction Steps

15.0 g of n-butylphosphonic acid ethyl ester and 5.3 g of acrylonitrile are dissolved under argon in 25 ml of ethanol. The solution is cooled to 10°, and a solution of 1.15 g of sodium in 50 ml of ethanol is added dropwise, whereupon an exothermic reaction takes place. The mixture is then heated under reflux for one hour and cooled to room temperature, and 3.3 g of glacial acetic acid are added. The solvent is removed and the residue is taken up in dichloromethane. The resulting solution is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated by evaporation. The oil that remains is distilled, yielding 2-cyanoethyl(n-butyl)phosphinic acid ethyl ester having a boiling point of 120° (10-1 bar).

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