Benzoic acids Benzonitriles

The reaction of o-nitrobenzaldehydes with some benzene derivatives in the presence of strong acid (H2S04, PPA) is a classical synthesis of acridinol N-oxides (373) (37BSF240) The synthesis works for benzyl alcohol, benzene, toluene and halobenzenes, but not for benzoic acid, benzonitrile, dimethylaniline, or nitrobenzene. Isoquinoline N-oxides (374) have been obtained from o-bromobenzaldoxime or the acetophenone derivative, and active methylene compounds with copper bromide and sodium hydride (77S760). The azobenzene cobalt tricarbonyl (375) reacts with hexafluorobut-2-yne to give a quinol-2-one (72CC1228), and the 3,4,5-tricyanopyridine (376) is formed when tetracyanoethylene reacts with an enaminonitrile (80S471). 

Benzamide Benzoic acid Benzonitrile Biphenyl Dioxane... 

The palladium-catalyzed activation and subsequent functionalization of aryl hahdes has received increased attention in the last decade l The enormous synthetic possibilities are demonstrated in Scheme 1 by the synthesis of aromatic intermediates such as cinnamic acid derivatives, styrenes, biaryls, benzoic acids, benzonitriles, or anilines. 

Boil 5 ml. (5-1 g.) of benzonitrile and 75 ml. of 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide in a 200 ml. flask under a reflux water condenser until no more oily drops of unchanged nitrile run down from the condenser (usually about 40 minutes). Th detach the condenser and boil the solution in the open flask for a few minutes to remove free ammonia, Cool the liquid, and add concentrated hydrochloric acid cautiously until precipitation of benzoic acid is complete. Cool the mixture again thoroughly, filter off the benzoic acid at the pump, and wash well with cold water. Yield, 5 8 g. (almost theoretical). Confirm the identity of the benzoic acid by the tests given on p. 347. The benzoic acid obtained in this way should be pure and have m.p. 121 a portion may if desired be recrystallised from hot water. 

Benzamide from Benzonitrile. (A) Although benzonitrile when boiled with 70% sulphuric acid undergoes ready hydrolysis to benzoic acid (see above), treatment with hot 90% sulphuric acid gives the intermediate benzamide. This difference arises partly from the difference in temperature employed, but also... 

Hydrolysis of />-Tolunitrile. As in the case of benzonitrile, alkaline h> drolysis is preferable to hydrolysis by 70% sulphuric acid. Boil a mixture of 5 g. of p-tolunitrile, 75 ml. of 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and 15 ml. of ethanol under a reflux water-condenser. The ethanol is added partly to increase the speed of the hydrolysis, but in particular to prevent the nitrile (which volatilises in the steam) from actually crystallising in the condenser. The solution becomes clear after about i hour s heating, but the boiling should be continued for a total period of 1-5 hours to ensure complete hydrolysis. Then precipitate and isolate the p-toluic acid, CH3CgH4COOH, in precisely the same way as the benzoic acid in the above hydrolysis of benzonitrile. Yield 5 5 g. (almost theoretical). The p-toluic acid has m.p. 178°, and may be recrystallised from a mixture of equal volumes of water and rectified spirit. 

Hydrolysis of benzonitrile to benzoic acid. BoU 5 -1 g. (5 ml.) of benzo-nitrUe and 80 ml. of 10 per cent, sodium hydroxide solution in a 250 ml. round-bottomed flask fitted with a reflux water condenser until the condensed liquid contains no oUy drops (about 45 minutes). Remove the condenser, and boU the solution in an open flask for a few minutes to remove free ammonia. Cool the liquid, and add concentrated hydrochloric acid, cautiously with shaking, until precipitation of benzoic acid is complete. Cool, filter the benzoic acid with suction, and wash with cold water dry upon filter paper in the air. The benzoic acid (5-8 g.) thus obtained should be pure (m.p. 121°). Recrystal-lise a small quantity from hot water and redetermine the m.p. 

I.3.4.2.5. Carbonyl and Thiocarbonyl Compounds a-(Hydroxyimino)phenyl-acetonitrile oxide (generated in situ at room temperature from PhC( NOH)C ( NOH)Cl in the presence of NaHC03 or Et3N) reacts with simple aldehydes and ketones R1R2CO to give 1,4,2-dioxazoles 180 (347). Related dioxazoles, formed by cycloaddition of benzonitrile oxide to aromatic aldehydes, upon treatment with I-BuOK, undergo cyclo-reversion, allowing direct conversion to substituted benzoic acids or their esters (348). 

Benzoic acid, pentachloro-, 44, 78 Benzoic acid, 2,4,6-trimeihyl-, 44, 69 Benzonitrile, conversion to diphenyl-kctimine, 44, 51... 

Reports have appeared claiming that triperoxo vanadates behave as nucleophilic oxidants. In particular, triperoxo vanadium complexes, A[V(02)3]3H20 (A=Na or K), are proposed as efficient oxidants of a,-unsaturated ketones to the corresponding epoxide, benzonitrile to benzamide and benzil to benzoic acid, reactions which are usually carried out with alkaline hydrogen peroxide. Subsequent studies concerning the oxidation of cyclobutanone to 4-hydroxybutanoic acid, carried out with the above-cited triperoxo vanadium compound, in alcohol/water mixtures, clearly indicated that such a complex does not act as nucleophilic oxidant, but only as a source of HOO anion. 

Benzonitrile (BN) [5c] The purity of commercially available BN is 99% or more and the major impurities are water, benzoic acid, isonitriles and amines. In getting pure BN, the commercial product is dried with a mild dehydrating agent like calcium chloride, the supernatant is transferred to a distilling vessel containing P205, and then it is distilled at reduced pressure under an inert atmosphere to collect the 10-80% fraction. 

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