3-Trifluoromethylbenzylcyanide

773837-37-9

705-29-3

2338-76-3

The general procedure for the synthesis of m-trifluoromethylphenylacetonitrile from the compound (CAS: 773837-37-9) and 3-trifluoromethylbenzyl chloride was as follows: An aqueous solution of sodium cyanide was prepared by adding 61.7 g of sodium cyanide and 112 g of water to a 250 mL beaker and stirring for 2 h until completely dissolved. Add 235 g of 2,3-trifluoromethylbenzyl chloride and 2.5 g of triethylbenzylammonium chloride to a 500 mL three-necked flask, and heat to 60°C. The temperature is controlled at 55~65°C. The aqueous sodium cyanide solution prepared above was slowly added dropwise under the temperature control of 55~65°C. After the dropwise addition was completed, the reaction temperature was maintained at 60°C for 8 hours. Samples were taken for HPLC analysis during the reaction to ensure that the mass fraction of 3-trifluoromethylbenzyl chloride was less than 0.5%. After completion of the reaction, it was cooled to room temperature and left to stratify. The aqueous layer was washed twice with 50 g of water, all aqueous layers were combined and treated with 5% sodium hypochlorite solution. The oil layer was distilled under reduced pressure and the 94-97 °C fraction was collected at -0.095 MPa to give 204 g of m-trifluoromethylbenzylacetonitrile with a product purity ≥94.0% and a yield of 91%.