2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenyl)acetonitrile

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:

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

Procedure: 269 g of 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzyl bromide in 214 ml of toluene are reacted with 68.2 g of sodium cyanide in 69 ml of water and 1.8 g of Aliquat 336. 141 g of colorless oil are obtained (b.p. 107° C./0.08 mbar).

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:

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

Procedure: Step C In a manner similar to the method described in Example 1b, 4-chloro-2-methylbenzyl cyanide (1.2 g, 7.2 mmol) was reacted with 3-chloro-2-fluorobenzaldehyde (1.38 g, 8.7 mmol), methanolic solution (25 wt %) of sodium methoxide (1.82 mL, 8 mmol) in methanol (50 mL) at 50° C. for 3 h to give (Z)-3-(3-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-2-(4-chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-acrylonitrile as a white solid (2.0 g, 91%).

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

Procedure: Step B In a manner similar to the method described in Example 57 Step B, 4-chloro-2-methylbenzyl chloride (1.83 g, 10 mmol) was reacted with KCN (1.76 g, 27 mmol) in ethanol (13 mL) and water (10 mL) at 100° C. for 1 h to give 4-chloro-2-methylbenzyl cyanide as a yellow oil (1.2 g, 69%)

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

Procedure: Step C In a manner similar to the method described in Example 1b, 4-chloro-2-methylbenzyl cyanide (3.5 g, 21 mmol) was reacted with 3-chloro-2-fluorobenzaldehyde (5 g, 32 mmol), methanolic solution (25 wt %) of sodium methoxide (15 mL, 66 mmol) in methanol (100 mL) at 50° C. for 5 h to give (Z)-3-(3-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-2-(4-chloro-2-methyl-phenyl)-acrylonitrile as a white powder (4 g, 62%).

Conditions: temp:100.01; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: Step B To a solution of 4-chloro-2-methylbenzyl chloride (5.2 g, 30 mmol) in ethanol (40 mL) was added an aqueous solution (30 mL) of KCN (5 g, 77 mmol) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then heated at 100° C. for 2 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and concentrated. The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The organic layer was separated, concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography (EtOAc:hexanes=1:10, then 1:4) to give 4-chloro-2-methylbenzyl cyanide as a yellow oil (3.5 g, 66%). The mixture was cooled to room temperature concentrated The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water The organic layer was separated concentrated The residue was purified by chromatography (EtOAc

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

Procedure: 269 g of 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzyl bromide in 214 ml of toluene are reacted with 68.2 g of sodium cyanide in 69 ml of water and 1.8 g of Aliquat 336. 141 g of colorless oil are obtained (b.p. 107° C./0.08 mbar).