Method for the preparation of 2-(2-cyanoethyl)-cyclopentanones.

摘要

The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a 2-(2-cyanoethyl)-cyclopentanone by reaction of a cyclopentanone which contains at least one alpha -H atom with an alpha , beta -unsaturated nitrile in the presence of a catalytic amount of pyrrolidine as catalyst and optionally also a catalytic amount of an acid compound. A high selectivity and a high catalyst activity are achieved with the method.