General method: 3-Methylphenylhydrazine hydrochloride (1 eq.) was dissolved in ethanol with 4,4-dimethyl-3-oxovaleronitrile (1.2 eq.) and the reaction was stirred at 80 °C overnight. After completion of the reaction, the reaction solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were combined, washed sequentially with water and saturated brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure.
[1] Molecules, 2016, vol. 21, # 5,
[2] Molecules, 2014, vol. 19, # 2, p. 2004 - 2028
[3] Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2002, vol. 45, # 14, p. 2994 - 3008
[4] Indian Journal of Chemistry - Section B Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, 2013, vol. 52, # 6, p. 818 - 823
