Sodium borohydride → 2-Cyano-5-hydroxymethylpyridine

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a 0° C. solution of 5-formylpicolinonitrile (490 mg, 3.71 mmol) in 15 mL of MeOH was added NaBH4 (140 mg, 3.71 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h and quenched with 5% citric acid. After most MeOH was removed by concentration, the residue was partitioned between DCM and sat. NaHCO3 (aq.). The aqueous layer was extracted with DCM (10×). The organic layer was washed with brine and dried (Na2SO4). The product 5-(hydroxymethyl)picolinonitrile (431 mg) was obtained by concentration under vacuum.

Provenance & Evidence