Cu2O-catalyzed selective 1,2-addition of acetonitrile to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

A cyanomethylation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with acetonitrile as a nucleophile is disclosed. The reaction is promoted with Cu₂O as an inexpensive catalyst. Mild conditions are used, and the reaction completes within a few minutes.

A Novel Synthesis of 1,3-Diketones by Reaction of an α-Bromoketone with Acyl Chlorides Promoted by Gallium Triiodide

Promoted by gallium triiodide, an α-bromoketone, bromomethyl phenyl ketone, is treated with acyl chlorides to synthesize 1,3-diketones in good yields under mild and neutral conditions.

Gallium Mediated Barbier Reactions of 1,2-diones: A Facile Synthesis of α-hydroxy ketones

Gallium mediated allylation and cinnamylation reactions of 1,2-diones in presence of LiBr and KI afforded α-hydroxycarbonyl compounds in moderate to good yields.

An efficient aldol-type direct reaction of isatins with TMSCH2CN

Cesium fluoride catalyzed direct cyanomethylation of various isatins by using trimethylsilyl acetonitrile (TMSAN) as a nucleophile has been developed. The reaction has been explored for a number of isatins, with various substitutions on its aromatic ring. Further, the versatility of the reaction is demonstrated by converting the direct aldol adducts to various corresponding intermediates.

Indium-catalyzed reduction of allyl bromide with gallium or aluminum. Formation of allylgallium and allylaluminum sesquibromides

[reaction: see text] Fast transmetalation of an allyl group from indium to gallium enables the assembly of a catalytic cycle of indium, which accelerates the formation of allylgallium sesquibromide. A solution of allylaluminum sesquibromide in THF is also prepared from allyl bromide and aluminum metal under indium catalysis.

P(RNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N-Catalyzed Synthesis of beta-Hydroxy Nitriles

We herein report the successful synthesis of beta-hydroxy nitriles in very good to excellent yields from aldehydes and ketones in a simple reaction that is promoted by strong nonionic bases of the title type. The reaction occurs in the presence of magnesium salts which activate the carbonyl group and stabilizes the enolate thus produced.