Anomalous product from the benzylation of phenylacetonitrile
Abstract
2-Benzylamino-1-cyano-1,3-diphenylprop-1-ene (C23H20N2) is identified as one of the products which may result from the benzylation of phenylacetonitrile. This product is also formed by benzylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-iminobutyronitrile, or by heating the benzylamine enolate of 1-cyano-1,3-diphenylpropan-2-one. With excess benzylamine the latter undergoes a disproportionation into phenylacetonitrile and N-benzylphenylacetamide.