Preparation of aromatic nitriles via direct oxidative conversion of benzyl alcohols, aldehydes and amines with pentylpyridinium tribromide in aqueous NH4OAc

Pentylpyridinium tribromide and aqueous ammonium acetate was used for the rapid oxidative conversion of benzyl alcohols, benzaldehydes and benzyl amines to the corresponding benzonitriles in good to excellent yields. This simple, mild and one-pot system provides easy workup and separation of the products.

A simple and efficient oxidative conversion of benzyl derivatives of alcohols, aldehydes and amines into corresponding nitriles is described using pentylpyridinium tribromide in the presence of aqueous NH4OAc.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide