3-Ethylbenzonitrile

Definition

Synthesis

2725-82-8

557-21-1

34136-57-7

General procedure for the synthesis of 3-ethylbenzonitrile from 3-bromoethylbenzene and zinc cyanide: 1-bromo-3-ethylbenzene (1.1 g), zinc cyanide (508 mg) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (333 mg) were dissolved in anhydrous toluene (8 mL) and degassed. The mixture was transferred to a sealed pressure tube under argon atmosphere and the reaction was stirred at 80°C for 12 hours. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was concentrated to dryness. The remaining residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel as stationary phase and cyclohexane/ethyl acetate = 95:5 as eluent) to afford the target product 3-ethylbenzonitrile (470 mg, 62% yield). Mass spectrometry analysis showed [MH]+=132.

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