Acetonitrile → 3-Cyclopentyl-3-oxopropanenitrile

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a suspension of NaH (2.75 g, 68.7 mmol) in THF (15 mL) at 70° C. was added dropwise a solution of methyl cyclopentanecarboxylate (8.00 g, 62.4 mmol) and anhydrous acetonitrile (3.91 mL, 74.9 mmol) in THF (5 mL). The mixture was stirred for 16 h at 70° C.-72° C., cooled to rt, and diluted with ethyl acetate and aqueous HCl. The organic layer was washed with water and brine and dried (MgSO4). Removal of the solvent provided 3-cyclopentyl-3-oxopropanenitrile, which was used without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence