Xiao Jing, Guo Fengzhe, Li Yinfeng, Li Fangshao, Li Qiang, Tang Zi-Long
Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China.
Institution of Functional Organic Molecules and Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, No. 1, Hunan Street, Liaocheng, Shandong 252059, China.
J Org Chem. 2021 Jan 15;86(2):2028-2035. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.0c02794. Epub 2021 Jan 4.
We report a novel strategy to prepare valuable nitriles and ketones through the conversion of esters under metal-free conditions. By using the I/PCl system, various substrates including aliphatic and aromatic esters could react with acetonitrile and arenes to afford the desired products in good to excellent yields. This method is compatible with a number of functional groups and provides a simple and practical approach for the synthesis of nitrile compounds and aryl ketones.
