Abstract:

m,p Trifluoromethylbenzonitrile are useful intermediates for synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals.The article discloses that m, p chlorobenzotrifluoride are converted to m, p trifluoromethylbenzonitrile using Ni(P(C₆H₅)₃)₃ as catalyst which give 87.0% and 82.7% conversion respectively. The catalyst is prepared in situ from anhydrous NiCl 2 with PФ 3 in the presence of a reducing powder in a single reactor vessel. The reaction occurs under simple, mild conditions and easily to be controlled and has been carried out in a commercial scale.

Key words: m-chlorobenzotrifluoride, p-chlorobenzotrifluoride, m-trifluoromethylbenzonitrile, p-trifluo-romethylbenzonitrile, tris(triphenylphosphine)nickel(0)