Diethoxyacetonitrile

61189-99-9

6136-93-2

The general procedure for the synthesis of diethoxyacetonitrile from 2,2-diethoxyacetamide is as follows (cf. Inami, K., Shiba, T., Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 1985, 58, 352): 2,2-diethoxyacetamide (7.13 g, 49.04 mmol) was dissolved in toluene (50 mL), followed by the addition of triethylamine (NEt3, 10.4 mL) and phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5, 9.04 g, 64.32 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour. Upon completion of the reaction, the solvent was first removed by distillation at atmospheric pressure and then changed to reduced pressure distillation to collect the diethoxyacetonitrile to give a clear, colorless liquid product (4.049 g, 64% yield). The boiling point of the product was 100 °C (12-15 mmHg). IR spectra (KBr, cm^-1): 2983, 2937, 2896 (υC-H), 2247 (υC≡N), 1067 (δC-O). NMR hydrogen spectrum (CDCl3): δ 1.27 (6H, t, J = 8.0 Hz, 2 × CH3), 3.73 (4H, m, 2 × CH2), 5.31 (1H, s, CH). Low Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LREIMS): measured value 130.13 (M+H), calculated value C6H11NO2 129.08.