Cerium(III) chloride → 4-Hydroxycyclohex-1-ene-1-carbonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred solution of 4-oxocyclohex-1-ene-1-carbonitrile (170 mg, 1.40 mmol) in MeOH (2.3 mL) at −78° C. was added cerium (III) chloride (484 mg, 1.96 mmol) in MeOH (4.7 mL). The resulting mixture was allowed to stir for 5 minutes at −78° C. before NaBH4 (48 mg, 1.26 mmol) was added in one portion. The mixture was stirred for 20 minutes and then allowed to warm to ambient temperature. After being stirred for 30 minutes, the reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with diethyl ether (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo (23° C. water bath) to afford the title compound.

Provenance & Evidence