Hydro-cyano-addition

Cyano-3-trifluoromethylaniline (107.5 mmol) dissolved in 300 ml 47% hydro-bromic acid cooled to 0°C was treated with NaN02 (322 mmol) followed by the slow addition of CuBr (322.5 mmol), then stirred 3 hours at 20°C, recooled to 0°C, and treated with 500 ml water. An yellow precipitate was isolated, which was washed with 50 ml 10% HC1, 100 ml water, dried, and the product isolated in 87% yield. 

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