Reductive decyanation of malononitriles and cyanoacetates using photoactivated neutral organic super-electron-donors

Abstract

A metal-free reductive procedure for decyanation of malononitriles and cyanoacetates, using photoactivated organic electron donors, is described. Decyanation of cyanoacetates is more difficult than for malononitriles and it requires higher loading of the electron donor and extended reaction times. An anionic intermediate is proposed for the observed decyanations and a plausible mechanism is presented.