Water → Benzoylacetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Ethyl benzoate (20 g, 133 mmol) and NaOMe (133 mmol, from 3 g Na) in methanol was mixed and heated with stirring to 80° C. until a homogeneous gelatinous mass had formed. Acetonitrile (6.8 g, 165 mmol) was then added slowly under the surface of this mass over a period of 30 min. The temperature was raised to 120° C. and heated at reflux for 24 h, and the reaction mixture was then cooled on an ice bath and treated with water and diethyl ether until the solid material had dissolved. The aqueous layer was separated and acidified with 5% H2SO4, washed with NaHCO3 (aq; sat.), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The crude product was used in the next reaction without any further purification. Yield: 7.3 g, 37.8%.

Provenance & Evidence