Question

Organic Chem: The transformation shown here can be achieved via a two-step synthesis. Draw the product of the first step of this synthesis?

Answer 1

Well, first we would probably brominate the methyl group....

Explanation:

And so....

`C_6H_5CH_3 stackrel(NBS, hnu)rarrC_6H_5CH_2Br +HBr`

And then the benzyl bromide would be treated with a cyanide nucleophile....

`C_6H_5CH_2Br +K^(+)""^(-):C-=N rarrC_6H_5CH_2C-=N+KBrdarr`