Copper-catalyzed cyanation of heterocycle C–H bonds with ethyl(ethoxymethylene)cyanoacetate as a cyanating agent and its mechanism

Abstract

A method for copper-catalyzed cyanation of heterocycles with ethyl(ethoxymethylene)cyanoacetate as a nontoxic and easily available cyanating agent via C–H bond activation has been developed. This transformation could proceed smoothly in the presence of di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) with a wide substrate scope under ligand-free conditions, providing a safe and efficient route for the synthesis of a wide range of (hetero)aryl nitriles. Mechanistic details were also described.