A simple method for the electrophilic cyanation of secondary amines

N-Cyanation of Primary and Secondary Amines with Cyanobenzio-doxolone (CBX) Reagent

An efficient electrophilic N-cyanation of amines with a stable and less-toxic cyanobenziodoxole reagent towards the synthesis of cyanamides is disclosed. This synthetically practicable strategy allows the construction of a wide variety of cyanamides under very mild and simple conditions with a broad functional group compatibility, and showcases a huge potential in late-stage modification of complex molecules.

Cyanide-Free Synthesis of Air Stable N-Substituted Li and K Cyanamide Salts from Tetrazoles. Applications toward the Synthesis of Primary and Secondary Cyanamides as Precursors to Amidines

A practical two-step synthesis of N,N'-disubstituted cyanamides consists in the low-temperature metalation of N-substituted 5H-tetrazoles that undergo spontaneous cycloreversion at 0 °C releasing dinitrogen, and forming N-metalated cyanamides that can be reacted in situ with a variety of electrophiles. Remarkably, the N-substituted Li and K cyanamides are air stable white solids at room temperature. Addition of lithium organometallics to the N,N'-disubstituted cyanamides provides a new method for accessing N,N'-disubstituted amidines.

SO2F2-Mediated one-pot cascade process for transformation of aldehydes (RCHO) to cyanamides (RNHCN)

A simple, mild and practical cascade process for the direct conversion of aldehydes to cyanamides was developed featuring a wide substrate scope and great functional group tolerability. This method allows for transformations of readily available, inexpensive, and abundant aldehydes to highly valuable cyanamides in a pot, atom, and step-economical manner with a green nitrogen source. This protocol will serve as a robust tool for the installation of the cyanamide moiety in various complicated molecules.

Direct cyanation, hydrocyanation, dicyanation and cyanofunctionalization of alkynes

In this review, direct cyanation, hydrocyanation, dicyanation, cyanofunctionalization and other cyanation reactions of alkynes were highlighted. Firstly, the use of nitriles and development of cyanation was simply introduced. After presenting the natural properties of alkynes, cyanation reactions of alkynes were classified and introduced in detail. Transition metal catalysed direct cyanation and hydrocyanation of alkynes gave alkynyl cyanides and alkenyl nitriles in good yields. Dicyanation of alkynes produced 1,2-dicyano adducts. Cyanofunctionalization of alkynes afforded functional cyanated compounds. Thiocyanation and selenocyanation yielded the expected functional vinylthiocyanates and vinylselenocyanates. A plausible reaction mechanism is presented if available.

Cyanation of alkynes was highlighted. Direct cyanation and hydrocyanation gave alkynyl cyanides and alkenyl nitriles. Dicyanation produced 1,2-dicyano adducts. Cyanofunctionalization afforded functional cyano compounds.

A cascade process for directly converting nitriles (RCN) to cyanamides (RNHCN) via SO2F2-activated Tiemann rearrangement

A simple, mild and practical process for the direct conversion of nitriles to cyanamides was newly discovered and exhibited a wide substrate scope as well as great functional group-tolerability (36 examples). In this efficient strategy, the in situ generated amidoximes obtained from the reaction of nitriles with hydroxylamine subsequently underwent Tiemann rearrangement, producing the corresponding cyanamides with great isolated yields under SO2F2. Additionally, the control experiments reportedly shed light on the tentative mechanism involved in the formation and elimination of the key intermediate: a sulfonyl ester.

Recent Advances in Cyanamide Chemistry: Synthesis and Applications

The application of alkyl and aryl substituted cyanamides in synthetic chemistry has diversified multi-fold in recent years. In this review, we discuss recent advances (since 2012) in the chemistry of cyanamides and detail their application in cycloaddition chemistry, aminocyanation reactions, as well as electrophilic cyanide-transfer agents and their unique radical and coordination chemistry.

N-Cyanation of Secondary Amines Using Trichloroacetonitrile

A one-pot N-cyanation of secondary amines has been developed using trichloroacetonitrile as an inexpensive cyano source. A diverse range of cyclic and acyclic secondary amines can be readily transformed into the corresponding cyanamides in good isolated yields, with the method successfully utilized in the final synthetic step of a biologically active rolipram-derived cyanamide. This approach exhibits distinct selectivity when compared to the use of highly toxic cyanogen bromide.

New strategies and applications using electrophilic cyanide-transfer reagents under transition metal-free conditions

The use of electrophilic cyanide-transfer reagents has become a versatile strategy to access important structural motives in a complementary way compared to other methods.

LDA-mediated synthesis of ortho-cyanated diarylmethanes by reaction of fluoroarene with arylacetonitrile at room temperature

An efficient and facile method for the synthesis of ortho-cyanated diarylmethane by reaction of fluoroarene with arylacetonitrile in the presence of LDA (lithium diisopropylamide) at room temperature was developed.

Cu-Catalyzed direct cyanation of terminal alkynes with AMBN or AIBN as the cyanation reagent

A Cu(ii)-catalyzed direct cyanation of terminal alkynes was reported with broad substrate generality in moderate to high yield.

Cu-Catalyzed direct cyanation of terminal alkynes with AMBN or AIBN as the cyanation reagent

A Cu(ii)-catalyzed direct cyanation of terminal alkynes was reported with broad substrate generality in moderate to high yield.