PURPOSE: To obtain the titled compound useful as a synthetic intermediate for medicines, etc., in one process without passing through an amine compound, by reducing 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenylacetonitrile in the presence of a formylating agent.
CONSTITUTION: 3-Methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenylacetonitrile expressed by formula I is reduced in the presence of a formylating agent, e.g. ethyl formate, and a reducing catalyst, e.g. Raney nickel, in an inert solvent, e.g. ethanol, at 0W250°C under ordinary pressure of hydrogen or 1W200kg/cm2G pressure thereof to give N-[2-(3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl)ethyl]formamide expressed by formula II. The compound expressed by formula I is obtained by reacting a compound expressed by formula III in the presence of NaBH4 to form a compound expressed by formula IV and reacting the resultant compound expressed by formula IV with SOCl2 to give a compound expressed by formula V and reacting the product with NaCN.
IMAKI SUNAO
SHIRASAKA TADASHI
NIIFUKU TETSUO
