Amyl cyanide n-capronitrile

Place 29 g. of n-caproamide (Section 111,109) into a 200 ml. distilling flask, and assemble the apparatus shown in Fig. Ill, 28, 1. Remove the trap momentarily and introduce 45 g. (27-6 ml.) of redistilled thionyl chloride no apparent reaction takes place in the cold. Warm the mixture on a water bath or by means of a small flame for 1 hour. Arrange the apparatus for distillation and distil oif the excess of thionyl chloride (i.e., until the temperature reaches about 90°) and allow to cool. When cold, transfer the residue to a 100 ml. distilling flask (1). Distil from an air bath (Fig. II, 5, 3) the -capronitrile passes over at 161-163° (2). The 3deld is 21 g. 

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For practice, the student should carry out both alkaUne (compare Section 111,83) and acid hydrolysis of acetonitrile, n-valeronitrile (n-butyl cyanide) and n-capronitrile (n-amyl cyanide). 

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