Acetic Acid → 2-(4-(Hydroxyimino)cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene)-2-phenylacetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

60 g of KOH are dissolved in 300 ml of methanol and heated up to 55° C. To the solution are added 32.2 g (0.27 mol) of phenylacetonitrile followed by 30.8 g (0.25 mol) of nitrobenzene. The reaction mixture is stirred at 55° C. for 4 hrs. After cooling, 400 ml of water are added with stirring. The resulting solution is acidified by addition of 110 ml of acetic acid in 100 ml of water, leading to a yellow-orange precipitate. The mixture is then filtered, and the yellow solid is washed with a mixture of methanol and water. The crude product is dried in air, boiled with 150 ml of benzene for 15 min., cooled, filtered and dried under vacuum. 42.6 g (77%) of (4-Hydroxyimino-cyclohexa-2,5-dienylidene)-phenyl-acetonitrile are obtained in the form of a yellow solid having a melting point of 159-163° C. (dec.).

Provenance & Evidence