NOVEL SYNTHESIS OF NITRILES FROM AMIDES BY REACTION WITH PHOSPHOROUS TRIS(DIETHYLAMIDE)

Abstract Benzamide was allowed to react with phosphorous tris(diethylamide) P(NEt2)3 under reflux in THF, and benzonitrile was obtained in good yield. Under the same condition, acetamide, nicotinamide, and thiobenzamide also reacted with P(NEt2)3 to give the corresponding nitriles respectively. Similar reaction with triethyl phosphite did not occur.