| abstract |
Process for the preparation of veratryl cyanide by chloromethylation of veratrol in toluene solution and subsequent reaction of the veratryl chloride obtained with 1 to 5 mol of alkali metal cyanide, the toluene not being removed from the chloromethylation for the reaction with cyanide, and wherein before the reaction with cyanide 3 to 25% by weight, based on veratryl chloride, water, 5 to 50% by weight, based on toluene, of a ketone having 3 to 6 carbon atoms and 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on veratryl chloride, of a phase transfer catalyst are added. |