4-Cyanophenol

Chemical properties

white crystalline powder or chips. 4-Hydroxybenzonitrile [767-00-0], 4-cyanophenol, 1-cyano-4-hydroxybenzene, Mr 119.2, forms colorless crystals of mp 113℃. 4-Hydroxybenzonitrile is produced by reaction of 4-bromophenol with copper (I) cyanide, by ammoxidation of p-cresol, by reaction of 4-chlorobenzonitrile with sodium methoxide, or by the catalyzed gas phase reaction of ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate with ammonia. The nitrile is used for the production of the herbicides 3,5-dibromo- and 3,5-diiodo-4- hydroxybenzonitrile (Bromoxynil, Ioxynil, May & Baker).

The Uses of 4-Cyanophenol

4-Cyanophenol is a precursor for the synthesis of a vasodilator, Levcromakalim. Bromination of 4-cyanophenol results in bromoxynil, a commercial herbicide. It can also be used as a component of deep eutectic solvent (DES) mixture.

The Uses of 4-Cyanophenol

Intermediates of Liquid Crystals

Preparation

4-Cyanophenol is produced by reaction of 4-bromophenol with copper (I) cyanide, by ammoxidation of p-cresol, by reaction of 4-chlorobenzonitrile with sodium methoxide, or by the catalyzed gas phase reaction of ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate with ammonia.

Definition

ChEBI: 4-cyanophenol is a member of phenols. It has a role as an EC 1.4.3.4 (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor. It is functionally related to a benzonitrile.

Synthesis Reference(s)

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 39, p. 3343, 1974 DOI: 10.1021/jo00937a007

Purification Methods

Crystallise the phenol from pet ether, *benzene or water and keep it under vacuum over P2O5. [Bernasconi & Paschelis J Am Chem Soc 108 2969 1986.] [Beilstein 10 H 167, 10 IV 441.]