T, he benzyne reaction of a number of ortho-substituted halobenzenes with acetonitrile or phenylacetonitrile was carried out, in various organic solvents together with the appropriate amines in the presence of sodium amide, to give the desired meta-substituted phenylacetonitriles together with meta-substituted amino compounds. When o-chloro-and o- methylhalobenzene were used in this reaction, a mixture of the corresponding 1, 3-and 1, ...
