Table 1.

Synthesis of 1-Phenylcyclopropane acetonitrile (2a) in different reaction conditions.

S.No	Base, water (%)	Solvent	Temperature (°C)	Time (hr)	Yield (%)
1	KOH, H2O (50)	–	60	12	30
2	KOH, H2O (50)	–	100	12	20
3	KOH, H2O (50)	CH3CN	60	12	15
4	KOH, H2O (50)	CH3CN	100	12	10
5	NaOH, H2O (50)	–	60	12	45
6	NaOH, H2O (50)	–	100	12	40
7	NaOH, H2O (50)	CH3CN	60	12	35
8	NaOH, H2O (50)	CH3CN	100	12	30
9	K2CO3, H2O (50)	–	60	12	10
10	K2CO3, H2O (50)	–	100	12	5
11	K2CO3, H2O (50)	CH3CN	60	12	NP
12	K2CO3, H2O (50)	CH3CN	100	12	NP
13	Na2CO3, H2O (50)	–	60	12	15
14	Na2CO3, H2O (50)	–	100	12	10
15	Na2CO3, H2O (50)	CH3CN	60	12	NP
16	Na2CO3, H2O (50)	CH3CN	100	12	NP

*All reactions were carried out on a 10 mg scale. The reaction was monitored by TLC and LCMS. NP = no product obtained.