Potassium 2-cyanoacetate

Potassium 2-cyanoacetate (CAS 7062-95-5) is a versatile anionic building block engineered for Knoevenagel condensation, cyanoacetate ester synthesis, and heterocyclic construction in pharmaceutical and agrochemical development. This molecule integrates three key reactive motifs: a nucleophilic methylene group activated by both cyano and carboxylate functionalities, a readily displaceable potassium counterion enabling enhanced solubility in polar media and phase-transfer catalysis, and a cyano group serving as a precursor to amidines, tetrazoles, or fused nitrogen heterocycles. The unique α-activation by dual electron-withdrawing groups facilitates efficient condensation with aldehydes/ketones to form α,β-unsaturated nitriles, while the carboxylate moiety supports direct amidation or decarboxylative coupling strategies. Compared to its sodium analog, the potassium salt often exhibits improved solubility in certain polar aprotic solvents, making it advantageous for specific reaction conditions. This intermediate is particularly valuable for constructing pyrimidine, pyridine, and pyrrole scaffolds prevalent in kinase inhibitors, antiviral agents, and agrochemical actives. Manufactured with purity ≥98% under controlled conditions, it supports synthetic programs requiring modular access to activated methylene chemistry and cyano-functionalized architectures.

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Product Name	Potassium 2-cyanoacetate
CAS Number	7062-95-5
Chinese Name	2-氰基乙酸钾
Synonyms	Potassium cyanoacetate; Cyanoacetic acid potassium salt; NC-CH₂-COOK;
Chinese Synonyms	氰基乙酸钾; 2-氰基乙酸钾; 氰乙酸钾; α-氰基乙酸钾
Molecular Formula	C₃H₂KNO₂
Molecular Weight	123.16 g/mol
Purity	≥ 98% (titration/HPLC)
Product Category	Pharmaceutical Intermediates / Activated Methylene Compounds / Cyanoacetate Salts
Appearance	White to Off-white Crystalline Powder or Hygroscopic Solid
Melting Point	179-184°C
MDL Number	MFCD00045794
Storage Conditions	Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed under inert atmosphere (nitrogen). This compound is hygroscopic—protect from atmospheric moisture to avoid clumping or hydrolysis.
Shelf Life	24 months under recommended storage conditions
Packaging	100g/bottle, 500g/bottle, 1kg/bottle, 5kg/drum, or customized according to customer requirements
Applications	Knoevenagel condensation for α,β-unsaturated nitrile synthesis, pyrimidine/pyridine heterocycle construction, cyanoacetate ester production via alkylation, antiviral drug intermediates, agrochemical active ingredient precursors
Reactivity	Suitable for Knoevenagel condensation with aldehydes/ketones, nucleophilic substitution at methylene position, cyano group conversion to amidine/tetrazole, decarboxylative coupling, and phase-transfer catalyzed alkylation
Special Note	Hygroscopic Potassium Salt—handle under dry conditions to maintain reactivity. The activated methylene enables efficient condensation chemistry. Part of our activated methylene building block series.