
%0 Journal Article
%A Brown, RFC 
%A Butcher, M 
%A Fergie, RA 
%T The formation of nitriles by pyrolysis of N-substituted chloroacetamides
%J Australian Journal of Chemistry
%D 1973/06/01
%V 26
%N 6
%P 1319-1326
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/CH9731319
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/CH9731319 
%X Pyrolysis of chloroacetamides RNHCOCH2Cl at 780-850°C/0.1-0.4 mm with short contact time gives nitriles RCN in 45-60% yield (R = phenyl, o- tolyl, p-tolyl, benzyl, or cyclohexyl). A mechanism is proposed involving the formation of the iso-nitrile RNC, formaldehyde, and hydrogen chloride. N-Chloroacetylbiphenyl-2-amine gives biphenyl-2- carbonitrile (45%) and phenanthridine (15%). 
