2-(chloromethyl)-4-fluoro-1-methylbenzene

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

Procedure: To a stirred and refluxing mixture of 71 parts of sodium cyanide, 99 parts of ethanol and 85 parts of water is added dropwise a solution of 134 parts of 2-(chloromethyl)-4-fluoro-1-methylbenzene in 99 parts of ethanol. Upon completion, stirring is continued first for 6 hours at reflux and further overnight at room temperature. The ethanol is evaporated and the residue is taken up in 4-methyl-2-pentanone and water. The layers are separated and the aqueous phase is extracted three times with 4-methyl-2-pentanone. The combined organic phases are washed twice with water, dried, filtered and evaporated. The residue is distilled, yielding 98 parts of 5-fluoro-2-methylbenzeneacetonitrile; bp. 124°-128° C. at 10 mm. pressure. refluxing Upon completion, stirring The ethanol is evaporated The layers are separated the aqueous phase is extracted three times with 4-methyl-2-pentanone The combined organic phases are washed twice with water dried filtered evaporated The residue is distilled