We wish to report another reaction of preparative value, where dehalogenation has been shown to occur from a system containing vicinal halide groups. From the reaction of 2, 2, 3- trichloro-or tribromopropionitrile with triethyl or trimethyl phosphite below room temperature, almost quantitative yields of 2-haloacrylonitriles, halophosphates, and alkyl halides can be readily isolated,(eq 4).
