Continuous method for preparing tricyanoimidazole

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and continuous processes of preparing tricyanoimidazole (a compound of Formula (A)) or a salt (e.g., a potassium or lithium salt) thereof. The methods include (a) contacting a first reaction stream comprising a compound of Formula (I) with a second reaction stream comprising a nitrite source, to form a first combined reaction stream comprising a compound of Formula (II) or a tautomer thereof, wherein the first combined reaction stream flows through a continuous flow reactor at a flow rate providing a residence time sufficient for converting a compound of Formula (I) to a compound of Formula (II); and (b) a step selected from step (b1) and (b2), wherein step (b1) comprises contacting the first combined reaction stream with a third reaction stream comprising a cyanide source to form a second combined reaction stream to form a compound of Formula (A) or a salt thereof, wherein the second combined reaction stream is allowed to flow through a continuous flow reactor; and step (b2) comprises quenching the reactor effluent exiting from the continuous flow reactor with a cyanide source to form a quench mixture comprising compound of Formula (A) or a salt thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.