Direct Synthesis of Nitriles from Aldehydes Using an O-Benzoyl Hydroxylamine (BHA) as the Nitrogen Source.

The direct synthesis of nitriles from commercially available or easily prepared aldehydes has been achieved. O-(4-CF3-benzoyl)-hydroxylamine (CF3-BHA) was utilized as the nitrogen source to generate O-acyl oximes in situ with aldehydes, which can be converted to a nitrile with the assistance of a Brønsted acid. Several aliphatic, aromatic, and α,β-unsaturated nitriles that contain different functional groups were prepared in high yields (up to 94% yield). This method has notable advantages, such as simple and mild conditions, high yields, and good functional group tolerance.