Metal-mediated and metal-catalyzed hydrolysis of nitriles

The thermal degradation of glucomoringin and changes of phenolic compounds in moringa seed kernels during different degrees of roasting

The effect of heat treatment on the abundant bioactive compounds in moringa seed kernels (MSKs) during different degrees of roasting remains sparingly explored despite the flour of roasted MSKs has been incorporated into the human diet (e.g., cakes, cookies, and burgers) as a substitute to enrich the nutritional content. Therefore, we investigated the impacts of different roasting conditions (e.g., temperature and duration) on bioactive compounds (e.g., glucosinolates (GSLs), phenolic acids and alkaloids) and antioxidant capacity of MSKs. Our results showed that light and medium roasting increased the glucomoringin (GMG, the main GSL in MSKs) content from 43.7 (unroasted MSKs) to 69.7-127.3 μmol/g MSKs (dry weight), while excessive/dark roasting caused thermally-induced degradation of GMG (trace/undetectable level) in MSKs, resulting in the formation of various breakdown products (e.g., thiourea, nitrile, and amide). In addition, although roasting caused a significant reduction of some phenolic compounds (e.g., gallic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric acids, and trigonelline), other phenolic acids (e.g., caffeic and ferulic acids) and alkaloids (e.g., caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline) remarkably increased after roasting, which may contribute to the enhanced total phenolic content (up to 2.9-fold) and antioxidant capacity (up to 5.8-fold) of the roasted MSKs.

1- and 2-Tetrazolylacetonitrile as Versatile Ligands for Laser Ignitable Energetic Coordination Compounds

1- and 2-Tetrazolylacetonitrile (1- and 2-TAN) have been synthesized by the reaction of chloroacetonitrile with 1H-tetrazole under basic conditions. They further were reacted with sodium azide in the presence of zinc(II) chloride to form 5-((1H-tetrazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-tetrazole (1-HTMT) and 5-((2H-tetrazol-2-yl)methyl)-1H-tetrazole (2-HTMT). The nitrogen-rich compounds have been applied as ligands for Energetic Coordination Compounds (ECCs) and show interesting coordinative behavior due to different bridging modes. The structural variability of the compounds has been proved by low-temperature X-ray analysis. The ECCs were analyzed for their sensitivities to provide information about the safety of handling and their capability to serve as primary explosives in detonator setups to replace the commonly used lead styphnate and azide. All colored ECCs were evaluated for their ignitability by laser initiation in translucent polycarbonate primer caps. In addition, the spin-crossover characteristics of [Fe(1-TAN)6](ClO4)2 were highlighted by the measurement of the temperature-dependent susceptibility curve.

A CoII-Hydroxide Complex That Converts Directly to a CoII-Acetamide during Catalytic Nitrile Hydration

In exploring structural and functional mimics of nitrile hydratases, we report the synthesis of the pseudo-trigonal bipyramidal CoII complexes (K)[CoII(DMF)(LPh)] (1(DMF)), (NMe4)2[CoII(OAc)(LPh)] (1(OAc)), and (NMe4)2[CoII(OH)(LPh)] (1(OH)) (LPh = 2,2',2''-nitrilo-tris-(N-phenylacetamide; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide; -OAc = acetate)). The complexes were characterized using NMR, FT-IR, ESI-MS, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography, showing the LPh ligand to bind in a tetradentate tripodal fashion alongside the respective ancillary donor. One of the complexes, 1(OH), is an unusual structural and functional mimic of the Co active site in Co nitrile hydratases. 1(OH) reacted with acetonitrile to yield the CoII-acetamide complex (NMe4)2[CoII(NHC(O)CH3)(LPh)], 2, which was also thoroughly characterized. In the presence of excess hydroxide, 1(OH) was found to catalyze quantitative conversion of the added hydroxide into acetamide. Despite the differences in Co oxidation state in nitrile hydratases and 1(OH) (CoIII versus CoII, respectively), 1(OH) was nonetheless an effective nitrile hydration catalyst, selectively producing acetamide over multiple turnovers.

Cyclopropanation Using Electrons Derived from Hydrogen: Reaction of Alkenes and Hydrogen without Hydrogenation

Have you ever imagined reactions of alkenes with hydrogen that result in anything other than hydrogenation or hydrogenative C-C coupling? We have long sought to develop not only hydrogenation catalysts that activate H2 as hydride ions but also electron transfer catalysts that activate H2 as a direct electron donor. Here, we report the reductive cyclopropanation of alkenes using an iridium electron storage catalyst with H2 as the electron source without releasing metal waste from the reductant. We discuss the catalytic mechanism with selectivity to give the trans-isomer. These findings are based on the isolation of three complexes and density functional theory calculations.

Reactivity umpolung (reversal) of ligands in transition metal complexes

The success and power of homogeneous catalysis derives in large part from the wide choice of transition metal ions and their ligands. This tutorial review introduces examples where the reactivity of a ligand is completely reversed (umpolung) from Lewis basic/nucleophilic to acidic/electrophilic or vice versa on changing the metal and co-ligands. Understanding this phenomenon will assist in the rational design of catalysts and the understanding of metalloenzyme mechanisms. Labelling a metal and ligand with Seebach donor and acceptor labels helps to identify whether a reaction involving the intermolecular attack on the ligand is displaying native reactivity or reactivity umpolung. This has been done for complexes of nitriles, carbonyls, isonitriles, dinitrogen, Fischer carbenes, alkenes, alkynes, hydrides, methyls, methylidenes and alkylidenes, silylenes, oxides, imides/nitrenes, alkylidynes, methylidynes, and nitrides. The electronic influence of the metal and co-ligands is discussed in terms of the energy of (HOMO) d electrons. The energy can be related to the pKLACa (LAC is ligand acidity constant) of the theoretical hydride complexes [H-[M]-L]+ formed by the protonation of pair of valence d electrons on the metal in the [M-L] complex. Preliminary findings indicate that a negative pKLACa indicates that nucleophilic attack by a carbanion or amine on the ligand will likely occur while a positive pKLACa indicates that electrophilic attack by strong acids on the ligand will usually occur when the ligand is nitrile, carbonyl, isonitrile, alkene and η6-arene.

Mechanistic Insights into Nitrile Activation by Cobalt(III)-Hydroperoxo Intermediates: The Influence of Ligand Basicity

The versatile applications of nitrile have led to the widespread use of nitrile activation in the synthesis of pharmacologically and industrially valuable compounds. We reported the activation of nitriles using mononuclear cobalt(III)-hydroperoxo complexes, [CoIII(Me3-TPADP)(O2H)(RCN)]2+ [R = Me (2) and Ph (2Ph)], to form cobalt(III)-peroxyimidato complexes, [CoIII(Me3-TPADP)(R-C(=NH)O2)]2+ [R = Me (3) and Ph (3Ph)]. The independence of the rate on the nitrile concentration and the positive Hammett value of 3.2(2) indicated that the reactions occur via an intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the hydroperoxide ligand to the coordinated nitrile carbon atom. In contrast, the previously reported cobalt(III)-hydroperoxo complex, [CoIII(TBDAP)(O2H)(CH3CN)]2+ (2TBDAP), exhibited the deficiency of reactivity toward nitrile. The comparison of pKa values and redox potentials of 2 and 2TBDAP showed that Me3-TPADP had a stronger ligand field strength than that of TBDAP. The density functional theory calculations for 2 and 2TBDAP support that the strengthened ligand field in 2 is mainly due to the replacement of two tert-butyl amine donors in TBDAP with methyl groups in Me3-TPADP, resulting in the compression of the Co-Nax bond lengths. These results provide mechanistic evidence of nitrile activation by the cobalt(III)-hydroperoxo complex and indicate that the basicity dependent on the ligand framework contributes to the ability of nitrile activation.

An unprecedented palladium-arsenic catalytic cycle for nitriles hydration

An unprecedented palladium/arsenic-based catalytic cycle for the hydration of nitriles to the corresponding amides is here described. It occurs in exceptionally mild conditions such as neutral pH and moderate temperature (60°C). The versatility of this new catalytic cycle was tested on various nitriles from aliphatic to aromatic. Also, the effect of ring substitution with electron withdrawing and electron donating groups was investigated in the cases of aromatic nitriles, as well as the effect of potentially interferent functional groups such as hydroxy group or pyridinic nitrogen. Furthermore, a pilot study on the potential suitability of this approach for its scale-up is presented, revealing that the catalytic cycle could be potentially and quickly scaled up.

Metal Catalysis Acting on Nitriles in Early Earth Hydrothermal Systems

Hydrothermal systems are areas in which heated fluids and organic molecules rush through basaltic material rich in metals and minerals. By studying malononitrile and acetonitrile, we examine the effects of metal and mineral nanoparticles on nitrile compounds in anoxic, hydrothermal conditions representing a prebiotic environment of early Earth. Polymerization, reduction, cyclization, and a phenomenon colloquially known as 'chemical gardening' (structure building via reprecipitation of metal compounds or complexing with organics) are all potential outcomes with the addition of metals and minerals. Reduction occurs with the addition of rhodium (Rh) or iron (II) sulfide (FeS), with positive identification of ethanol and ethylamine forming from acetonitrile reduction. We find that polymerization and insoluble product formation were associated with oxide minerals, metallic nickel (Ni), and metallic cobalt (Co) acting as catalysts. Oxide minerals strongly promoted polymerization into insoluble, tar-like products of nitriles. FeS, iron-nickel alloy (FeNi), and rhodium are unique cases that appear to act as reagents by actively participating in chemical gardening without returning to their initial state. Further, FeS tentatively had a phase change into the mineral parabutlerite. This research aims to identify metals and metal minerals that could best serve nitrile catalysis and reactions on early Earth.

[ReH3 (PPh3 )4 ] - A Key Compound in the Rhenium Hydride Chemistry

The chemistry of the rhenium trihydrido complex [ReH₃ (PPh₃ )₄ ] (1) has been reinvestigated. An improved synthesis and the solid-state structure of the compound as well as several reactions are reported. The solid-state structure of 1 is similar to that of [TcH₃ (PPh₃ )₄ ] having a capped-octahedral coordination sphere. The PPh₃ ligands surround the Re atom in a trigonal-pyramidal mode with a short apical Re-P bond (2.300(2) Å) and three longer basal bonds (2.429(2)-2.449(2) Å). Reactions of 1 with monodentate phosphines such as PMe₃ or PBu₃ give the mono-substituted complexes [ReH₃ (PPh₃ )₃ (PMe₃ )] (2) and [ReH₃ (PPh₃ )₃ (PBu₃ )] (3) under retention of the apical PPh₃ ligand and substitution of one of the basal PPh₃ ligands. The stability of the phosphine trihydride complexes decreases in the order PPh₃ >PMe₃ >PBu₃ . Treatment of [ReH₃ (PPh₃ )₄ ] with trityl hexafluorophosphate in CH₃ CN does not result in a hydride abstraction, but gives the tetrahydrido cation [ReH₄ (NCCH₃ )(PPh₃ )₃ ]⁺ (4), while reactions with nitriles give unstable azavinylidene complexes of the composition [ReH₂ (PPh₃ )₃ (NC(H)R)] (5). They are formed by an insertion of the nitrile into a Re-H bond. The solid-state structure of the methyl derivative [ReH₂ (PPh₃ )₃ (NC(H)CH₃ )] (5 a) was determined showing a linear Re-N-C unit with rhenium-nitrogen and nitrogen-carbon double bonds, while the N=CH-C bond is clearly bent with an angle of 124°. Two previously unknown polymorphs of [ReH₅ (PPh₃ )₃ ] were isolated from reactions of 1 with HOC₆ H₃ (CH₃ )₂ and thiourea after prolonged heating in toluene and characterized by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings: On the Importance of the Catalyst Quantity Descriptors, mol % and ppm

This Review examines parts per million (ppm) palladium concentrations in catalytic cross-coupling reactions and their relationship with mole percentage (mol %). Most studies in catalytic cross-coupling chemistry have historically focused on the concentration ratio between (pre)catalyst and the limiting reagent (substrate), expressed as mol %. Several recent papers have outlined the use of “ppm level” palladium as an alternative means of describing catalytic cross-coupling reaction systems. This led us to delve deeper into the literature to assess whether “ppm level” palladium is a practically useful descriptor of catalyst quantities in palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Indeed, we conjectured that many reactions could, unknowingly, have employed low “ppm levels” of palladium (pre)catalyst, and generally, what would the spread of ppm palladium look like across a selection of studies reported across the vast array of the cross-coupling chemistry literature. In a few selected examples, we have examined other metal catalyst systems for comparison with palladium.

Copper(I) Catalyzed Decarboxylative Synthesis of Diareno[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes

Diareno[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes find widespread applications as building blocks, ligands, and responsive cores in topologically switchable materials. However, current synthetic methods to these structures suffer from low yields or operational disadvantages. Here, we describe a practical three-step approach to diareno[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes using an efficient copper(I) catalyzed double decarboxylation as the key step. The sequence relies on cheap and abundant reagents, is readily performed on scale, and is amenable also to unsymmetrical derivatives that expand the utility of this intriguing class of structures.

Reactions and catalytic applications of a PNCNP pincer palladium hydride complex

A PNCNP-pincer palladium hydride complex possesses strong deprotonating ability and versatile catalytic activity and its pincer backbone exhibits high water stability.

Synthesis of Boronated Amidines by Addition of Amines to Nitrilium Derivative of Cobalt Bis(Dicarbollide)

A series of novel cobalt bis(dicarbollide) based amidines were synthesized by the nucleophilic addition of primary and secondary amines to highly activated B-N+≡C-R triple bond of the propionitrilium derivative [8-EtC≡N-3,3'-Co(1,2-C2B9H10)(1',2'-C2B9H11)]. The reactions with primary amines result in the formation of mixtures of E and Z isomers of amidines, whereas the reactions with secondary amines lead selectively to the E-isomers. The crystal molecular structures of E-[8-EtC(NMe2)=HN-3,3'-Co(1,2-C2B9H10)(1',2'-C2B9H11)], E-[8-EtC(NEt2)=HN-3,3'-Co(1,2- C2B9H10)(1',2'-C2B9H11)] and E-[8-EtC(NC5H10)=HN-3,3'-Co(1,2-C2B9H10)(1',2'-C2B9H11)] were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Synthesis of α-substituted indolylacetamide using acetonitriles as acetamide enolate equivalents through O-transfer reactions

We introduce readily available ammonium hemiaminals as O-transfer reagents and commercially available acetonitriles as a primary amide enolate precursor. The combination serves as an amide enolate equivalent, thereby providing one-pot access to α-substituted indolylacetamides. A broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance as well as gram-scale synthesis make this protocol highly attractive. Mechanistic experiments suggest that the cyano group is trapped by a hydroxy group of hemiaminals en route to the desired primary amides under metal-free conditions.

Dichloro(η6-p-cymene)(P,P-diphenyl-N-propyl-phosphinous amide-κP)ruthenium(II)

The title compound, i.e., [RuCl2(η6-p-cymene)(PPh2NHnPr)] (2), was obtained in a 71% yield by reacting a toluene solution of the chlorophosphine complex [RuCl2(η6-p-cymene)(PPh2Cl)] (1) with two equivalents of n-propylamine at room temperature. The aminophosphine complex 2 was characterized by elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR (31P{1H}, 1H and 13C{1H}) and IR spectroscopy. In addition, its catalytic behavior in the hydration of benzonitrile was briefly explored.

Hydration of Aliphatic Nitriles Catalyzed by an Osmium Polyhydride: Evidence for an Alternative Mechanism

The hexahydride OsH₆(PⁱPr₃)₂ competently catalyzes the hydration of aliphatic nitriles to amides. The main metal species under the catalytic conditions are the trihydride osmium(IV) amidate derivatives OsH₃{κ²-N,O-[HNC(O)R]}(PⁱPr₃)₂, which have been isolated and fully characterized for R = ⁱPr and ^tBu. The rate of hydration is proportional to the concentrations of the catalyst precursor, nitrile, and water. When these experimental findings and density functional theory calculations are combined, the mechanism of catalysis has been established. Complexes OsH₃{κ²-N,O-[HNC(O)R]}(PⁱPr₃)₂ dissociate the carbonyl group of the chelate to afford κ¹-N-amidate derivatives, which coordinate the nitrile. The subsequent attack of an external water molecule to both the C(sp) atom of the nitrile and the N atom of the amidate affords the amide and regenerates the κ¹-N-amidate catalysts. The attack is concerted and takes place through a cyclic six-membered transition state, which involves C_nitrile···O–H···N_amidate interactions. Before the attack, the free carbonyl group of the κ¹-N-amidate ligand fixes the water molecule in the vicinity of the C(sp) atom of the nitrile.

The hexahydride complex OsH₆(PⁱPr₃)₂ competently catalyzes the hydration of aliphatic nitriles to amides. Isolation of the main metal species under the catalytic conditions, kinetics of hydration, and density functional theory calculations support an alternative mechanism to those previously reported.

Assembly of α-(Hetero)aryl Nitriles via Copper-Catalyzed Coupling Reactions with (Hetero)aryl Chlorides and Bromides

α-(Hetero)aryl nitriles are important structural motifs for pharmaceutical design. The known methods for direct synthesis of these compounds via coupling with (hetero)aryl halides suffer from narrow reaction scope. Herein, we report that the combination of copper salts and oxalic diamides enables the coupling of a variety of (hetero)aryl halides (Cl, Br) and ethyl cyanoacetate under mild conditions, affording α-(hetero)arylacetonitriles via one-pot decarboxylation. Additionally, the CuBr/oxalic diamide catalyzed coupling of (hetero)aryl bromides with α-alkyl-substituted ethyl cyanoacetates proceeds smoothly at 60 °C, leading to the formation of α-alkyl (hetero)arylacetonitriles after decarboxylation. The method features a general substrate scope and is compatible with various functionalities and heteroaryls.

Z-Selective α-Arylation of α,β-Unsaturated Nitriles via [3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement

The Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction and [3, 3]-sigmatropic rearrangement are two paradigms in organic synthesis. We have merged the two types of reactions to achieve [3,3]-rearrangement of aryl sulfoxides with α,β-unsaturated nitriles. The reaction was achieved by sequentially treating both coupling partners with electrophilic activator (Tf₂ O) and base, offering an effective approach to prepare synthetically versatile α-aryl α,β-unsaturated nitriles with Z-selectivity through direct α-C-H arylation of unmodified α,β-unsaturated nitriles. The control experiments and DFT calculations support a four-stage reaction sequence, including the assembly of Tf₂ O activated aryl sulfoxide with α,β-unsaturated nitrile, MBH-like Lewis base addition, [3,3]-rearrangement, and E1cB-elimination. Among these stages, the Lewis base addition is diastereoselective and E1cB-elimination is cis-selective, which could account for the remarkable Z-selectivity of the reaction.

Ru(ii)- and Ru(iv)-dmso complexes catalyze efficient and selective aqueous-phase nitrile hydration reactions under mild conditions

Synthesis and characterization of new water-soluble Ru(ii)- and Ru(iv)-dmso complexes are reported which show good efficiency and selectivity for aqueous-phase nitrile hydration at 60 °C in air. Best performance is achieved using complex [RuCl2(dmso)3(NH3)]·PF6·Cl (3).

Functionalisation of esters via 1,3-chelation using NaOtBu: mechanistic investigations and synthetic applications

Unusual nucleophilic behavior of a metal t-butoxide in a transesterification reaction was demonstrated by NMR and real-time IR spectroscopies and deuterium-labeling experiments.

A computational study for the reaction mechanism of metal-free cyanomethylation of aryl alkynoates with acetonitrile

A computational study of metal-free cyanomethylation and cyclization of aryl alkynoates with acetonitrile is carried out employing density functional theory and high-level coupled-cluster methods, such as coupled-cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples [CCSD(T)]. Our results indicate that the reaction of aryl alkynoates with acetonitrile in the presence of tert-butyl peroxybenzoate (TBPB) under metal-free conditions tends to proceed through cyanomethylation, spirocyclization and ester migration of the kinetically favoured coumarin derivatives. 1,2-Ester migration in the spiro-radical intermediate 10 does not proceed via the formation of the carboxyl radical 11 suggested by Sun and co-workers. Our results also demonstrate that the t-butoxy radical is substantially responsible the formation of the cyanomethyl radical by the abstraction of a hydrogen atom from acetonitrile.

A computational study of metal-free cyanomethylation and cyclization of aryl alkynoates with acetonitrile is carried out employing density functional theory and high-level coupled-cluster methods, such as [CCSD(T)].

Direct synthesis of amides from nonactivated carboxylic acids using urea as nitrogen source and Mg(NO3)2 or imidazole as catalysts

A new method for the direct synthesis of primary and secondary amides from carboxylic acids is described using Mg(NO3)2·6H2O or imidazole as a low-cost and readily available catalyst, and urea as a stable, and easy to manipulate nitrogen source. This methodology is particularly useful for the direct synthesis of primary and methyl amides avoiding the use of ammonia and methylamine gas which can be tedious to manipulate. Furthermore, the transformation does not require the employment of coupling or activating agents which are commonly required.

Peroxocobalt(iii) species activates nitriles via a superoxocobalt(ii) diradical state

The dioxygenation of nitriles by [CoIII(TBDAP)(O2)]+ (TBDAP = N,N-di-tert-butyl-2,11-diaza[3.3](2,6)-pyridinophane) is investigated using DFT-calculations. The mechanism proposed previously based on experimental observations, which invoked an outer-sphere cycloaddition, was found to be unreasonable. Instead, calculations suggest that an inner-sphere mechanism involving the cleavage of one of the Co-O bonds assisted by substrate uptake is much more likely. The reactively competent species is a triplet consisting of a Co(ii)-superoxo functionality, which can undergo O-C bond formation and O-O bond cleavage traversing low energy transition states. The role of the structurally rigid TBDAP ligand is to prevent the participation of the pyridyl ligand in the delocalization of the unpaired electron density.

Transition metal-free NaOH-catalyzed hydration of nitriles to primary amides in NH3·H2O-DMSO mixture

In this paper, we reported an efficient protocol for hydration of aryl(hetero) and alkyl nitriles toward primary amides with 0.1 equiv. NaOH in NH₃·H₂O-DMSO under mild conditions. Various substituted nitriles are smoothly converted to the corresponding amides with good to excellent isolated yields. Gram-scale reactions were also performed to produce the desired products in high yields. In addition, the excessive hydrolysis of the nitrile to form the corresponding carboxylic acid was also achieved with increasing the amount of NaOH and prolonging the reaction time.

Selective Hydration of Nitriles to Corresponding Amides in Air with Rh(I)-N-Heterocyclic Complex Catalysts

A new synthetic method for obtaining [RhCl(cod)(NHC)] complexes (1–4) (cod = η4-1,5-cyclooctadiene, NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene: IMes, SIMes, IPr, and SIPr, respectively) is reported together with the catalytic properties of 1–4 in nitrile hydration. In addition to the characterization of 1–4 in solution by 13C NMR spectroscopy, the structures of complexes 3, and 4 have been established also in the solid state with single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The Rh(I)-NHC complexes displayed excellent catalytic activity in hydration of aromatic nitriles (up to TOF = 276 h−1) in water/2-propanol (1/1 v/v) mixtures in air.

Catalytic hydration of cyanamides with phosphinous acid-based ruthenium(ii) and osmium(ii) complexes: scope and mechanistic insights

The catalytic hydration of cyanamides to ureas has been accomplished employing, for the first time, homogeneous catalysts, i.e. the phosphinous acid complexes [MCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)(PMe₂OH)] (M = Ru, Os).

An umpolung reaction of α-iminonitriles and its application to the synthesis of aminomalononitriles

An umpolungN-alkylation reaction of α-iminonitriles with Grignard reagents gaveN-alkylated α-aminonitriles in good yields.

Nickel(ii)-mediated cyanamide–pyrazole coupling highlights distinct reactivity of NCNR2 and NCR nitrile ligands

The nickel(ii) center efficiently promotes the cyanamide–pyrazole coupling to give bis-chelate and tris-chelate products. The formation of the tris-chelate product for dialkylcyanamides is thermodynamically favorable.

Copper-catalyzed regioselective sulfonylcyanations of vinylarenes

A set of copper-catalyzed sulfonylcyanations of vinylarenes with readily accessible arylsulfonyl chlorides and trimethyl cyanide was achieved, providing a streamlined route to various decorated β-sulfonyl nitriles with good regioselectivity and functional group tolerance.

IrIII-Catalyzed direct syntheses of amides and esters using nitriles as acid equivalents: a photochemical pathway

An unprecedented Ir^III[df(CF₃)ppy]₂(dtbbpy)PF₆-catalyzed simple photochemical process for direct addition of amines and alcohols to the relatively less reactive nitrile triple bond is described herein.