Process for preparing 2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile

A process for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR2## which comprises the steps of (A) methylating a compound of formula ##STR3## with an anhydrous methylating agent in the presence of zinc chloride at a temperature of about 60.degree. C. for about twelve hours to form a compound of the formula ##STR4## and (B) reducing the above ether with a reducing agent in the presence of ether for about eight hours to form a compound of the formula ##STR5## and (C) formylating the above amine with a formylating agent in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulphonic acid at about 0.degree. C. for about sixteen hours to form a compound of the formula ##STR6## and (D) reacting the above amide with trichloromethylchloroformate in the presence of triethylamine at a temperature of about minus 40.degree. C. for about one hour to form the desired isonitrile.