Hydrochloric Acid → 2-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenoxy)benzonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 2.0 grams (0.035 mole) of iron powder, 1.0 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid, 4.0 mL of water, in 30 mL of ethanol was stirred, and 2.5 grams (0.009 mole) of 2-nitro-5-(4-chlorophenoxy)benzonitrile was added slowly. Upon completion of addition, the reacton mixture was warmed to reflux where it stirred for about seven hours. After this time, the reaction mixture was allowed to cool to ambient temperature where it stirred for about 18 hours. The reaction mixture was then warmed and filtered through a pad of diatomaceous earth. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to a residue. The residue was purified with column chromatography on silica gel, using 1:1 petroleum ether/methylene chloride. The product-containing fractions were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure, yielding 0.2 gram of 2-amino-5-(4-chlorophenoxy)benzonitrile, mp 116°-118° C. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure. The reaction was repeated.

Provenance & Evidence