Novel Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydrocyanation of Olefins

Significance

A very practical, easy-to-handle hydrocyanation method is introduced in this article. Functional groups like alcohols and aldehydes are tolerated. The method is applicable to a broad spectrum of non-activated alkenes delivering both secondary and tertiary nitriles in good to excellent yields. However, 1,2-disubstituted cyclic olefins and α,β-unsaturated esters cannot be converted into the expected products.