Iron-Catalyzed α-C-H Cyanation of Simple and Complex Tertiary Amines

Paired Electrolysis for Decarboxylative Cyanation: 4-CN-Pyridine, a Versatile Nitrile Source

A decarboxylative cyanation of amino acids under paired electrochemical reaction conditions has been developed. 4-CN-pyridine was found to be a new and effective cyanation reagent under catalyst-free conditions. Mechanistic studies support a nucleophilic reaction pathway, and the cyanation protocol can be applied to diverse substrates including N,N-dialkyl aniline and indole derivatives.

KOtBu-Mediated Reductive Cyanation of Tertiary Amides for Synthesis of α-Aminonitriles

A simple, mild, catalyst-free, and efficacious KO^tBu-mediated reductive cyanation reaction of tertiary amides under hydrosilylation conditions has been described. A series of α-aminonitriles is obtained in moderate to high yield with good functional group tolerance. The reaction works well with a readily available amide substrate, a cheap and versatile base KO^tBu, and a commercially available hydrosilane (EtO)₃SiH and is convenient for workup and purification.