Synthesis of acyl cyanides in a hydrous reaction medium

A process for the preparation of an acyl cyanide having the formula (I):

• ##STR13## in which R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl radical having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryl radical, a heterocyclic radical optionally condensed with a benzene nucleus, or substituted such radicals, comprising reacting in the liquid phase an acid halide of the formula (II):
• ##STR14## in which R is as defined above and X is a halogen atom, with an alkali metal cyanide, in the presence of an acyl cyanide yield enhancing amount of a poly(alkylene oxide) compound containing 2 to 200 ethylene oxide or propylene oxide recurring units, or combination thereof and a catalytically effective amount of water, wherein reactants are selected and used in amounts and under conditions which result in the production of said acyl cyanide.

A process for the preparation of an acyl cyanide having the formula (I):

• ##STR15## in which R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl radical having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryl radical, a heterocyclic radical optionally condensed with a benzene nucleus, or substituted such radicals, comprising reacting in the liquid phase an acid halide of the formula (II):
• ##STR16## in which R is as defined above and X is a halogen atom, with an alkali metal cyanide, in the presence of an acyl yield enhancing amount of a poly(alkylene oxide) compound containing one or more of the chains:
• --O--(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O)n--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --OH where n ranges from 2 to 200, and a catalytically effective amount of water, wherein the reactants are selected and used in amounts and under conditions which result in the production of said acyl cyanide.