Diethyl Chlorophosphate: A New Alternative Reagent for Dehydration of Primary Amides to Nitriles in Solvent and Solvent-Free Conditions

Z. Shahsavari-Fard and A.R. Sardarian*

Chemistry Department, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71454, Iran

An efficient method for synthesis of nitriles has been developed using diethyl chlorophosphate in solvent and solvent-free conditions. Primary alkyl and aryl amides, efficiently are converted to the corresponding nitriles by heating in the presence of diethyl chlorophosphate in excellent yields. This method works under mild conditions with shorter reaction times.

Keywords: Primary amides, Dehydration, Diethyl chlorophosphate, Nitriles, Solvent-free