SYNTHESIS OF IMIDAZOLEDITHIOCARBOXYLIC ACID CYANOETHYL ESTER

PURPOSE:The addition reaction of acrylonitrile to a specific imidazoledithiocarboxylic acid permits easy production of the titled compound which is used as a synthetic intermediate of agricultural chemicals and medicines. CONSTITUTION:The reaction between 1 molar equivalent of imidazole-dithiocarboxylic acid of formula I (R2 is H, methyl, ethyl, undecyl, heptadecyl, phenyl; R4 is H, methyl), readily available from imidazole and carbon disulfide in high yield, and 1 or more molar equivalent of acrylonitrile of formula II is conducted at room temperature for more than 5hr to give the objective compound of formula III such as imidazole-4-dithiocarboxylic acid cyanoethyl ester. The reaction can be carried out in the absence of a solvent, however, from the view point of temperature control, an aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide may be used. The reactor is required to be provided with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and the reaction can be done under normal pressure.