2-Aminobenzonitrile

Chemical properties

It is a chemically stable yellow solid that readily forms salts when it encounters acid. It can be oxidized to nitrogen oxide by oxidants but has certain toxicity. The substance is easily soluble in common organic solvents but hardly soluble in low-polarity solvents, and it is insoluble in water.

The Uses of 2-Aminobenzonitrile

2-Aminobenzonitrile is used for induction of nitrilase activity in Arthrobacter and for radioprotective agent.

Preparation

Synthesis of 2-Aminobenzonitrile: 2-Aminobenzamide was dehydrated to 2-aminobenzonitrile without protection of the amino group in the presence of phenylphosphonyl dichloride and pyridine. The highest yield of 96% was obtained using reagent 2d, while reagents 2a-c yielded less than 60%.

The reagents used for the reaction included phosphoryl chloride (2a), phenyl phosphoryl dichloride (2b), 4-chlorophenyl phosphoryl dichloride (2c), and phenylphosphonic dichloride (2d) in pyridine.
synthesis of aminobenzonitrile by dehydration of aminobenzamide using phenylphosphonic dichloride in pyridine

Synthesis Reference(s)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 96, p. 5933, 1974 DOI: 10.1021/ja00825a039
The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 43, p. 944, 1978 DOI: 10.1021/jo00399a030
Tetrahedron Letters, 32, p. 1007, 1991 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(00)74473-X
Improving a process for the preparation of 2-aminobenzonitrile by reduction of 2-nitrobenzonitrile.

Safety Profile

Poison by intravenous route. Seealso NITRILES. When heated to decomposition it emitstoxic fumes of NOx and CN^- .