Acyl Cyanides as Bifunctional Reagent: Application in Copper-Catalyzed Cyanoamidation and Cyanoesterification Reaction

J Org Chem. 2020 Apr 17;85(8):5691-5701. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b03500. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

Abstract

Cu-catalyzed domino decyanation and cyanation reaction of acyl cyanides with amines or alcohols have been developed. The cyano sources were generated in situ via C-CN cleavage yielding the corresponding cyano substituted amides or esters in moderate to excellent yields. This approach features a cheap copper catalyst, domino decyanation and cyanation reaction, readily available starting materials, broad substrate scope, operational simplicity, and the potential for further transformation of the cyano group.