Cu2O‐Catalyzed Conversion of Benzyl Alcohols Into Aromatic Nitriles via the Complete Cleavage of the C≡N Triple Bond in the Cyanide Anion

Abstract
Nitrogen transfer from cyanide anion to the aldehydes is emerging as a promising method for synthesis of aromatic nitriles. However this method still suffers from a disadvantage that a use of stoichiometric Cu(II) or Cu(I) salts is required to enable the reaction. In the present article, we overcame this drawback, and developed a catalytic method for the nitrogen transfer from cyanide anion to the alcohols via the complete cleavage of the C≡N triple bond using phen/Cu2O as the catalyst. The present condition allowed a series of benzyl alcohols to be smoothly converted into aromatic nitriles in moderate to high yields. In addition, the present method could be extended to the conversion of cinnamic alcohol to 3-phenylacrylonitrile.
Funding Information
  • Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province (212300410358)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (21603060)

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