1.6 g (0.011 mol) 4-aminophthalonitrile was dissolved in 22.4 mL of 2.5 M
H2SO4. The mixture was cooled to 0 ??C. To the solution was slowly added 0.9 g
(0.013 mol) of NaNO2 dissolved in 3.5 mL of water. After the mixture was stirred for
30 minutes, 2.08 g (0.013 mol) of KI dissolved in 12.8 mL of water was added. The
mixture was further stirred for 45 minutes at room temperature. After this period, the
brown solid was filtered and washed with water. It was dissolved in a minimal
amount of chloroform. The solution was washed first with saturated Na2S2O3 and
then with water. It was dried over Na2SO4. After the solution was filtered, it was
dried in vacuum and purified with column chromatography over silica gel by eluting
with dichloromethane. Molecular formula: IC6H3-1,2-(CN)2 (254.03 g/mol). Yield:
2.37 g (85%).