Cyanation of glycine derivatives

Chem Commun (Camb). 2021 Mar 25;57(24):3014-3017. doi: 10.1039/d0cc08126d. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Abstract

We report a catalytic oxidative C-H cyanation of glycine derivatives using a simple copper(i) catalyst with NFSI as an oxidant via a radical process to furnish α-cyano glycine derivatives, which are useful intermediates for organic synthesis. CuCl acted as both a one-electron reductant and a transition-metal catalyst in this transformation. NFSI served as a one-electron oxidant and generated a N-centered radical as a H-abstractor. The reaction displayed broad substrate scope and mild reaction conditions.