2,6-Pyridinedicarbonitrile

499-83-2

2893-33-6

The general procedure for the synthesis of 2,6-pyridinedicarbonitrile from pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid was carried out as follows: liquid ammonia (0.5 ml) and acetonitrile (50 ml) were mixed in a cold bath at -40 °C, followed by the addition of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (1.67 g). After raising the temperature of the mixture to 0°C, phosphorus pentachloride (4 g) was added in batches. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours to ensure complete reaction. After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed by concentration under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved with dichloromethane and subsequently washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution to neutrality. The organic layer was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated again. The resulting solid was recrystallized by isopropanol to give white crystals of 2,6-pyridinedicarbonitrile (1.13 g) in 88% yield.