Occidental Chemical Corporation

Bao-Guo Huang

David Y Tang

Michael C Hausladen

Disclosed is a method of making an o-arylbenzonitrile by reacting o-chlorobenzonitrile with a substituted phenylzinc halide. The reaction is performed in the presence of a nickel catalyst, an ethereal solvent, and N-methylpyrrolidinone as a cosolvent.

Highly selective process for making o-arylbenzonitriles

Disclosed is a method of making an o-arylbenzonitrile. A mixture is prepared of o-chlorobenzonitrile and about 1.0 to about 2.0 equivalents per equivalent of o-chlorobenzonitrile of a substituted phenylmagnesium halide in about 5 to about 30 mL per gram of o-chlorobenzonitrile of a solvent system of an ethereal solvent and N-methyl pyrrolidinone. The o-chlorobenzonitrile is reacted with the substituted phenylmagnesium halide at a temperature of about 10-.degree. to about 25.degree. C.

Process for making o-arylbenzonitriles

Disclosed is a process for making an aromatic nitrile by reacting a benzotrichloride with an ammonium halide in the presence of an oxygen-donating initiator at a temperature of about 150.degree. to about 250.degree. C. An optional catalyst of a metal oxide or a metal salt can be used if desired.

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Cheektowaga, NY, United States of America

Bao-Guo Huang