Potassium Cyanide → 2-(4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)acetonitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 4-methanesulfonylbenzyl chloride (10 g, 49 mmol) in DMF (100 mL) was added HMPA (9.35 mL, 54 mmol) and KCN (3.5 g, 54 mmol). The resulting reaction mixture was stirred 18 h at 80° C., then diluted with water and ethyl acetate. The organic extracts were washed (NaHCO3, brine), dried (MgSO4), filtered and concentrated. Purification by flash chromatography (eluting with hexane/ethyl acetate, 1:1 to 25:75) provided the (4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-acetonitrile compound.

Provenance & Evidence