2-methoxy-2-phenylacetonitrile

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: To a solution of methoxyphenyl acetonitrile (4.0 g, 27 mmol) in THF at room temperature was added NaH (1.19 g, 30 mmol). After 20 min, MeI (1.68 mL, 27 mmol) was added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature overnight. H2O was added to quench the reaction. It was concentrated and diluted with Ether. The ether was washed with 1N HCl, saturated NaCl, dried and concentrated to give a crude mixture which was purified by column chromatography on ISCO (120 g) with 0-30% hexanes in ethyl acetate over 28 min to yield 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-propanenitrile (1.9 g, 44% yield) as a light brownish oil. HPLC retention time (Method C)=2.47 min. LC/MS (ESI) (M+H)+=162.16. 1H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ ppm 1.64 (d, J=7.34 Hz, 3H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.85-3.92 (m, 1H), 6.83-6.96 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.34 (m, 2H). to quench the reaction It was concentrated diluted with Ether The ether was washed with 1N HCl, saturated NaCl dried concentrated to give a crude mixture which was purified by column chromatography on ISCO (120 g) with 0-30% hexanes in ethyl acetate over 28 min