2-Ethoxybenzonitrile

64-67-5

611-20-1

6609-57-0

To a 250 mL three-necked flask was added 5.95 g (0.05 mol) of o-hydroxybenzonitrile, 20 mL of 10% aqueous NaOH and 80 mL of toluene and the mixture was heated to 70 °C and maintained at this temperature for 1 hour of reaction. Subsequently, the temperature was lowered to 60 °C and 9.24 g of diethyl sulfate was slowly added dropwise. After the dropwise addition, the reaction temperature was raised to 70 °C and the reaction was continued for 2 hours. The progress of the reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC) until o-hydroxybenzonitrile completely disappeared. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was cooled to room temperature and liquid-liquid separation was carried out. The toluene layer was collected and the solvent was removed by evaporation to give a light yellow oily liquid 2-ethoxybenzonitrile 6.98 g in 95% yield.