2-Methylbutanal → (S)-3-ethyl-2-{[(S)-1-phenylethyl]amino}pentanenitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To (S)-(−)-α-methylbenzylamine hydrochloride salt (1.2 g, 7.6 mmol) in 80 mL of 1:1 MeOH/H2O was added potassium cyanide (0.5 g, 7.6 mmol) and 2-methylbutyraldehyde (0.94 mL, 7.6 mmol). A precipitate formed after 30 min. After 20 h, the suspension was filtered and washed with H2O to give (S)-3-ethyl-2-{[(S)-1-phenylethyl]amino}pentanenitrile as a white powder (1.29 g, 74%). Mass Spectrum (+ESI): 310 (M+H)+. Anal. Calc'd for C15H22N2: C, 78.21; H19.63; N, 12.16. Found: C, 77.90; H, 9.75; N, 12.32.

Provenance & Evidence