ChEBI: Valethamate bromide is an alkylbenzene.
Benzyl cyanide is first reacted with 2-butylbromide in the presence of sodium
amide to give 2-phenyl-3-methylvaleronitrile which is hydrolyzed by sulfuric
acid to give 3-methyl-2-phenylpentanoic acid. 24 g of 2-phenyl-3-
methylpentanoic acid are heated for one hour at 175° to 185°C with 30 g of
2-diethylaminoethanol and 0.5 g of sodium methylate. The excess
diethylaminoethanol is removed in vacuo, the residue is dissolved in 300 cc of
2 N-acetic acid, the acid solution is shaken with ether and made alkaline with
concentrated potassium carbonate solution and ice. The ether solution is
washed with water, dried with sodium sulfate and evaporated. The residue is
distilled under high vacuum, yielding 20 to 21 g of the basic ester (60% of the
theoretical) is obtained, the ester boiling at 98° to 100°C at a pressure of
0.03 mm. The hydrochloride of the ester melts at 112°to 113°C and the
methobromide at 100° to 101°C.
Poison by ingestion,
subcutaneous, and intravenous routes. See
also ESTERS and BROMIDES. When
heated to decomposition it emits very toxic
fumes of NOx, NH3, and Br-.
