Ac2O/K2CO3/DMSO: an efficient and practical reagent system for the synthesis of nitriles from aldoximes

The transformation of aldoximes to nitriles using acetic anhydride as dehydration agent under mild reaction conditions is reported. The reaction, which proceeds under weak alkaline condition, allows for the conversion of a range of aldoximes including aromatic aldoximes, alphatic aldoximes, and heterocyclic aldoximes in good to excellent yields. This method has also been successfully applied to the synthesis of calcium channel blocker nilvadipine in pilot scale.