Dimethylamine → 3-Fluoro-4,5-bis(phenylmethoxy)benzeneacetonitrile

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Reaction Steps

The intermediate benzylcyanide compound of the formula 12 above, according to the present invention, may be prepared by converting a 2-fluoro-6-methoxyphenol compound of the formula 13 ##STR11## under aminomethylation conditions, with formaldehyde and N,N-dimethylamine, into the N,N-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-fluorobenzylamine compound of the formula 14 ##STR12## The benzylamine compound of the formula 14, by treatment with methyliodide and displacement with NaCN, is converted into the 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-5-fluorobenzylnitrile compound of formula 15 ##STR13## The benzylnitrile compound of the formula 15 is treated with BBr3, followed by dibenzylation of the catechol 3,4-dihydroxy-5-fluorobenzylcyanide compound of the formula 16 ##STR14## with benzylchloride to give the 3,4-dibenzyloxy-5-fluorobenzylcyanide compound of the formula 12 ##STR15##

Provenance & Evidence