Step 2: Synthesis of 5-methoxy-2-nitrobenzonitrile
To a 100 mL round bottom flask was added 5-methoxy-2-nitrobenzamide (2.1 g, 0.01 mol), trifluoroacetic anhydride (2.2 mL), triethylamine (2.9 mL) and dichloromethane (30 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was washed with distilled water (30 mL × 2). The organic layer was separated and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and subsequently concentrated under reduced pressure to give 1.75 g (92% yield) of white solid product. Mass spectrometry (MS) showed m/z: 179 ([M + H]+).
