The process of preparing 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetonitrile

as one of the important intermediates for synthesis was studied.Beginning from the raw material—vanillin

the title compound was prepared

via protection of hydroxyl

reduction

chloridization and nitrilation.The influences of various reaction conditions on the yield were investigated

and the optimal reaction conditions (reagent

temperature

time and yield) were as follows: acetic anhydride as acetylation reagent

reacting at room temperature for 3 h and yield was 99%; Raney Ni as catalyst

reaction time was 8 h at room temperature

and yield was 96.8%; dropping thionyldichloride at 0℃

then reacting at room temperature for 2 h

and the yield was 78%; refluxing with sodium cyanide for 9 h

and the yield was 78.5%.The products were characterized with MS

1H NMR and elemental analysis.The results showed that the process proposed overcame the defects of traditional synthesis route.