Halogenation reaction with ethylenediamine

Inclusion of additional alkyl groups on the aromatic ring leads to decongestants with longer duration of action. Thus, reaction of the arylacetonitrile, 109, obtainable from hydrocarbon, 107, by chloromethylation (108), followed by displacement of the halogen by means of cyanide ion with ethylenediamine, leads to xylometazoline (111). The analogous reaction of the oxygenated derivative, 110, affords oxymetazoline (112). ... 

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