Benzyl Alcohol → Benzonitrile, 4-(hydroxymethyl)-3-methoxy-

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To the benzyl alcohol prepared in step 1 (0.86 g, 4.0 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) was added CuCN (1.1 g, 12 mmol). The mixture was warmed to 150° C. and stirred for 20 h. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature and EtOAc was added, followed by a saturated NH4Cl/NH4OH solution. The mixture was stirred vigorously for 10 minutes and extracted with EtOAc, then the organic layer was dried (MgSO4), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. Purification by silica gel chromatography provided 4-hydroxymethyl-3-methoxy-benzonitrile (0.38 g, 2.3 mmol).

Provenance & Evidence