Synthesis of 2-Aryloxymethylbenzonitriles from 2-Cyanobenzyl Chloride

Abstract

Fourteen 2-Aryloxymethylbenzonitriles were synthesized from 2-cyanobenzyl chloride and various substituted phenols with potassium carbonate as a base in N,N-dimethyl formamide at 80-110 ºC in good to excellent yields. The products, 13 of which are new, were characterized by melting points, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electron impact mass spectroscopy. 2-Cyanobenzyl chloride is thus a better alternative to more costly and less atom economical bromo analogue or chloro- or bromobenzoate.