Metal-Free-Catalyzed Intramolecular Carbocyanation of Activated Alkenes: New Entry To Access Functionalized Nitriles Containing Quaternary Carbon Centers

Abstract

Intramolecular carbocyanation reaction of alkenes has emerged as a powerful tool for preparing functionalized nitriles. In contrast to transition-metal-catalyzed processes, we have recently developed a metal-free carbocyanation (alkenylcyanation and acylcyanation) approach to construct functionalized nitriles incorporating a quaternary carbon center. This article summarizes our recent exploratory studies in this field.

Key words

catalysis - carbocyanation - metal-free reaction - nitriles - asymmetric synthesis

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