To a solution of tert-butyl (5-bromopyrimidin-2-yl)-cyanoacetate (3.2 g, 10 mmol) in dichloromethane (30 mL) was added trifluoroacetic acid (10 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was concentrated. Water was added to the residue and the pH of the mixture was adjusted to neutral with saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution. Subsequently, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. After separation of the organic layer, the aqueous layer was again extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were combined, washed sequentially with water and brine, dried over anhydrous MgSO4, filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent ratio: EtOAc/hexane = 1:3, 1:2, 1:1) to afford 5-bromo-2-pyrimidine acetonitrile as a white solid (1.2 g, 71% yield).
