Patent ID: 6153810
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A method of making an o-arylbenzonitrile comprising(A) preparing a mixture of(1) o-chlorobenzonitrile;(2) about 1.0 to about 2.0 equivalents per equivalent of said o-chlorobenzonitrile of a substituted phenylzinc halide having the general formula ##STR2## where R is alkyl or alkoxy from C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 and X is chlorine, bromine, or iodine;(3) about 5 to about 30 mL per gram of said o-chlorobenzonitrile of a solvent system which comprises(a) an ethereal solvent; and(b) about 2 to 12 molar equivalents of N-methylpyrrolidinone per equivalent of said o-chlorobenzonitrile; and(4) about 0.5 to about 10 mole %, based on moles of said o-chlorobenzonitrile, of a nickel catalyst having the general formula NiL.sub.m X'.sub.n, where L is an organic ligand bonded to the nickel atom, X' is chlorine, bromine, or iodine, m is 0 to 4, and n is 0 to 2; and(B) reacting said o-chlorobenzonitrile with said substituted phenylzinc halide.