Alpha-trisubstd acetonitriles prepn - esp 2,2-dimethyl valeronitrile, from disubstd acetonitriles sodamide and alkyl halide

摘要

alpha-Trisubstd. acetonitriles of formula: R1R2R3C-C triple bond N (where R1 and R3 are opt. same and are Me or Et and Re is 2-4C opt. unsatd. alkyl or aryl), pref. 2,2-dimethylvaleronitrile, are useful starting materials for prepn. of amides and carboxylic acids, their salts and esters, which have therapeutic, esp. transquilising activity. They are prepd. by reacting R1R3CH-C triple bond N with NaNH2 and R2Hal, where NaNH2 is prepd. in situ by reacting metallic Na with anhydrous liquid NH3 in excess under completely anhydrous condns. and in presence of traces of Fe (III)-salt as catalyst. Residual liquid NH3 is displaced with completely anhydrous benzene or toluene, NaNH2 is reacted with R1R3CH-C triple bond N and R2Hal under completely anhydrous condns. and boiling and prod. formed is sepd. from reaction mixt.