Monarda fistulosa

by | Dec 19, 2023 | Monarda

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Methyl cyanoformate is the organic compound with the formula CH3OC(O)CN. It is used as a reagent in organic synthesis as a source of the methoxycarbonyl group,[1] in which context it is also known as Mander's reagent. When a lithium enolate is generated in diethyl ether or methyl t-butyl ether, treatment with Mander's reagent will selectively afford the C-acylation product.[2] Thus, for enolate acylation reactions in which C- vs. O-selectivity is a concern, methyl cyanoformate is often used in place of more common acylation reagent like methyl chloroformate.

Methyl cyanoformate is also an ingredient in Zyklon A. It has lachrymatory effects.[3]

References

  1. ^ Simon R. Crabtree, W. L. Alex Chu, Lewis N. Mander "C-Acylation of Enolates by Methyl Cyanoformate: An Examination of Site- and Stereoselectivity"Synlett 1990; 1990: 169–170. doi:10.1055/s-1990-21025
  2. ^ Crabtree, Simon R.; Chu, W. L. Alex; Mander, Lewis N. (1990). "C-Acylation of Enolates by Methyl Cyanoformate: An Examination of Site- and Stereoselectivity". Synlett. 1990 (3): 169–170. doi:10.1055/s-1990-21025. ISSN 0936-5214.
  3. ^ Sartori, Mario (1939). The War Gases. New York: D. Von Nostrand. p. 100.
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