A convenient synthesis of 4-ethyl-4-methyl-3-oxohexanenitrile via pinacol rearrangement

MJ Martinelli, VV Khau, LM Horcher

Index: Martinelli, Michael J.; Khau, Vien V.; Horcher, Linus M. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 1993 , vol. 58, # 20 p. 5546 - 5547

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Citation Number: 10

Abstract

A readily available source of 4-ethyl-4-methyl-3-oxohexanenitrile (1) was recently required for the synthesis of Isoxaben (21, a preemergent herbicide for cereal crops with additional utility in turf and ornamental application. On the basis of economic considerations, we sought to prepare 1 from commercially available starting materials in a straightforward fashion. The formation of ketone 7 by pinacol rearrangement of the symmetrical diol 3 was ...