Cyano:formate ester prodn. from corresp. chloro:formate - by reaction with hydrogen cyanide in presence of base, intermediates for pharmaceuticals and plant protection agents

摘要

Prodn. of cyanoformate esters of formula (I) comprises reacting chloroformate (II) with HCN, in presence of base and under anhydrous conditions, where. R = opt. substd. lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, phenyl or benzyl. The base is Et3N and reaction is in one or more apolar, aprotic solvents, esp. aromatic hydrocarbons. USE/ADVANTAGE - (I) are intermediates for pharmaceutically and plant-protection agents. This method provides better than 80% yield and 98% purities. Unlike known processes, it does not require expensive starting materials or catalysts, so is suitable for industrial operation.