Stereoselective synthesis of vinyl nitriles through a Ramberg-Bäcklund approach

The applicability of vinyl nitriles in the preparation of pharmaceuticals, polymers, and other valuable materials benefits from robust preparative methodologies. In this work, we present a novel approach for the synthesis of vinyl nitriles based on the Ramberg-Bäcklund olefination reaction (RBR). While there are few examples for accessing functionalized olefins using the RBR, we believe that this methodology embodies useful means for installing privileged vinylnitrile building blocks, such as the acrylonitrile fragment of the US FDA-approved antiviral rilpivirine.

Development of a ruthenium–aquo complex for utilization in synthesis and catalysis for selective hydration of nitriles and alkynes

A ruthenium(ii)–aquo complex serves as a precursor for the synthesis of new ternary complexes and also as an efficient catalyst for selective hydration of aryl nitriles to aryl amides and aryl alkynes to aryl aldehydes.

Facile Preparation of Aryl Nitriles from Aryl Aldehydes in PEG-DME 250

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A facie and efficient method for one-pot transformation of aryl aldehydes to aryl nitriles using hydroxylamine hydrochloride and phosphorus tribromide in PEG-DME 250 is reported. The conversion of various aryl aldehydes to the corresponding aryl nitriles occurred smoothly in high yields under the present reaction conditions.

Recent advances in pincer-nickel catalyzed reactions

Organometallic catalysts have played a key role in accomplishing numerous synthetically valuable organic transformations that are either otherwise not possible or inefficient. The use of precious, sparse and toxic 4d and 5d metals are an apparent downside of several such catalytic systems despite their immense success over the last several decades. The use of complexes containing Earth-abundant, inexpensive and less hazardous 3d metals, such as nickel, as catalysts for organic transformations has been an emerging field in recent times. In particular, the versatile nature of the corresponding pincer-metal complexes, which offers great control of their reactivity via countless variations, has garnered great interest among organometallic chemists who are looking for greener and cheaper alternatives. In this context, the current review attempts to provide a glimpse of recent developments in the chemistry of pincer-nickel catalyzed reactions. Notably, there have been examples of pincer-nickel catalyzed reactions involving two electron changes via purely organometallic mechanisms that are strikingly similar to those observed with heavier Pd and Pt analogues. On the other hand, there have been distinct differences where the pincer-nickel complexes catalyze single-electron radical reactions. The applicability of pincer-nickel complexes in catalyzing cross-coupling reactions, oxidation reactions, (de)hydrogenation reactions, dehydrogenative coupling, hydrosilylation, hydroboration, C-H activation and carbon dioxide functionalization has been reviewed here from synthesis and mechanistic points of view. The flurry of global pincer-nickel related activities offer promising avenues in catalyzing synthetically valuable organic transformations.

HCl•DMPU-Assisted One-pot and Metal-free Conversion of Aldehydes to Nitriles

We report an efficient HCl•DMPU assisted one-pot conversion of aldehydes into nitriles. The use of HCl•DMPU as both an acidic source as well as a non-nucleophilic base constitutes an environmentally mild alternative for the preparation of nitriles. Our protocol proceeds smoothly without the use of toxic reagents and metal catalysts. Diverse functionalized aromatic, aliphatic and allylic aldehydes incorporating various functional groups were successfully converted to nitriles in excellent to quantitative yields. This protocol is characterized by a broad substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, and high scalability.