Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Cyanation of Alkenyl Tosylates and Triflates

Abstract

Herein, we disclose the nickel-catalyzed reductive cyanation of alkenyl tosylates and triflates. Both cyclic and acyclic alkenyl nitriles are produced in moderate to good yield using 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylmalononitrile (MeO-MPMN), a novel transnitrilation, or nitrile transfer, reagent. A robustness screen was undertaken to demonstrate the functional group tolerance of this method.