Copper(i)-catalyzed ring-opening cyanation of cyclopropanols

Abstract

A copper(I)-catalyzed ring-opening cyanation of cyclopropanols was developed. The reaction provides an alternative method to achieve β-cyano ketones efficiently. This reaction exhibits good functional group compatibility under mild conditions and can be scaled up to the gram scale. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction might go through a free radical process.