Sodium borohydride → 5-(Hydroxymethyl)thiophene-2-carbonitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 2-cyano-5-formyl-thiophene (6.9 g, 50 mmol) in EtOH (100 mL) was added sodium borohydride (1.9 g, 50 mmol) in portions. After 5 min of stirring, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and brine. The layers were separated and the organic phase was washed once with 1M citric acid and once with brine, then dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 6.1 g (88%) of 2-cyano-5-(hydroxymethyl)thiophene.

Provenance & Evidence