45 mL of methanol and 9.6 mL of concentrated HCl were stirred in a round-bottomed flask. 2.02 g (145 mmol) of 4-nitrophthalonitrile was added into this
medium. The mixture was heated to reflux. 4-Nitrophthalonitrile dissolved in this
step. Iron powder (2.21 g, 39.2 mmol) was added in portions within an hour. The
color of solution changed to yellow-brown. After the addition of iron has been
completed, the reaction medium was continued to stir at reflux temperature for
another hour. The reaction medium was cooled to room temperature. It was precipitated with 60 mL of water. The precipitate was filtered and washed with
copious amount of water. Molecular formula: H2NC6H3-1,2-(CN)2. Yield: 1.4 g
(81.59%).
