Abstract
Ethylbenzonitriles were synthesized by selective gas-phase ammoxidation of ethylbenzyl chlorides prepared by chloromethylation of ethylbenzene in good yields and almost 100% selectivity at ca. 200 °C for the first time.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
![](/cms/asset/b17978a2-81d8-4008-985a-27fcccce8161/lsyc_a_524959_o_uf0001.gif)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are grateful for the financial support from the Natural Sciences Foundation of China (40830852, 21172269) and the Natural Sciences Foundation of Hubei Province (2008CDZ038).