white to almost white crystals or cryst. needles
(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)acetonitrile has been used in the synthesis of (Z)-3-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acrylonitrile. It has also been used in the preparation of modified diterpene (±) nimbidiol which relies on a sulfenium ion promoted polyene cyclization.
An Impurity of Verapamil (V125000). An intermediate in the preparation of the muscle relaxant Papverine (P190500).
Its solubility is 10% in MeOH, and it has been recrystallised from EtOH or MeOH. Purify it also by distillation followed by recrystallisation. [Price & Rogers Org Synth Coll Vol III 174 1955, Niederl & Ziering J Am Chem Soc 64 885 1952, Julian & Sturgis J Am Chem Soc 57 1126 1935, Beilstein 10 I 198.]
