Prepd by the action of aq or alcoholic ammonia
on cyanoacetic ester: Hesse, Am. Chem. J.18, 724 (1896); Thole, Thorpe, J. Chem. Soc.99, 429 (1911); Ott, L"opmann, Ber.55, 1258 (1922); Corson et al.,Org. Synth.coll. vol. I (2nd ed., 1941) p 179.
Properties
Needles from alc, mp 119.5°. One gram dissolves in 6.5 ml of
cold water. Soly in 100 ml of 95% alc: 1.3 g at 0°; 3.1 g at 26°;
7.0 g at 44°; 14.0 g at 62°; 21.5 g at 71°.
Use
In organic syntheses (e.g., starting
material for vitamin B6 synthesis).