2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanenitrile

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

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

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

Conditions: temp:40.01; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: 469 g (3.1 mol) of 4-chlorobenzyl cyanide, 30 g of tetrabutylammonium bromide, 1500 g of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution and 438 g (3.56 mol) of isopropyl bromide are initially introduced into a 4 l multineck apparatus with reflux condenser and internal thermometer. The temperature rises after the stirrer is switched on. It is maintained at 40° C. for 4 h, initially by cooling and later by heating. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, poured into a mixture of 500 ml of ether and 500 ml of water, the aqueous phase is separated off, and the organic phase is washed successively with 5% strength hydrochloric acid, sodium bicarbonate solution and water. After having been dried with sodium sufate, the solvent is removed by distillation. The residue remaining is 585.3 g of 97% pure 4-α-isopropylbenzyl cyanide. The product is pure enough for the subsequent hydrogenation. with reflux condenser initially by cooling later by heating The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature the aqueous phase is separated off the organic phase is washed successively with 5% strength hydrochloric acid, sodium bicarbonate solution and water After having been dried with sodium sufate the solvent is removed by distillation