methyl 2-fluoro-2-methylpropanoate

Conditions: temp:70.01; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: To a stirred suspension of 60% NaH/mineral oil (12.48 g, 0.31 mol) in dry THF at 75° C. was added dropwise methyl 2-fluoro-2-methylpropanoate (24 g, 0.2 mol) in dry acetonitrile (16 mL, 0.31 mol) over the course of 45 min. The resulting pale yellow suspension was heated at 70° C. overnight, whereupon analysis by TLC indicated a single new product. After cooling to rt, the mixture was poured into water, acidified to pH˜2 with 2N HCl, and extracted with diethyl ether (1 L). The organic layer was dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-30% EtOAc in petroleum ether to afford 4-fluoro-4-methyl-3-oxopentanenitrile as a colorless oil (18 g, 72% yield). LC-MS (ESI) m/z 128 (M−H)+. After cooling to rt extracted with diethyl ether (1 L) The organic layer was dried over Na2SO4 concentrated under reduced pressure The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-30% EtOAc in petroleum ether

Conditions: temp:70.01; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: To a stirred suspension of 60% NaH/mineral oil (12.48 g, 0.31 mol) in dry THF at 75° C. was added dropwise methyl 2-fluoro-2-methylpropanoate (24 g, 0.2 mol) in dry acetonitrile (16 mL, 0.31 mol) over the course of 45 min. The resulting pale yellow suspension was heated at 70° C. overnight, whereupon analysis by TLC indicated a single new product. After cooling to rt, the mixture was poured into water, acidified to pH˜2 with 2N HCl, and extracted with diethyl ether (1 L). The organic layer was dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-30% EtOAc in petroleum ether to afford 4-fluoro-4-methyl-3-oxopentanenitrile as a colorless oil (18 g, 72% yield). LC-MS (ESI) m/z 128 (M−H)+. After cooling to rt extracted with diethyl ether (1 L) The organic layer was dried over Na2SO4 concentrated under reduced pressure The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with 0-30% EtOAc in petroleum ether