This disclosure generally relates to methods of making ibuprofen, naproxen, and derivatives thereof. This disclosure also generally relates to compounds made by the disclosed methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
Arylacetonitriles corresponding to the formula Ar-CH(R)CN are prepared by reducing a cyanohydrin corresponding to the formula Ar-C(R)(OH)CN with phosphorus pentasulfide in an inert solvent; Ar in the formulas representing aryl and R being hydrogen or alkyl. The products are primarily useful as pharmaceutical and agricultural intermediates.