Selective cyanation of bromostyrenes by pentacyanocobaltate(II) and nuclear magnetic resonance evidence for the formation of intermediate σ-styryl–cobalt(III) and η-cinnamonitrile–cobalt(I) cyano-complexes
Abstract
Cis- and trans-β- and α-bromostyrenes were converted catalytically and stereoselectively into un-saturated nitriles under mild conditions; n.m.r. evidence for the formation of the title intermediates suggests a catalytic cycle involving the pentacyanocobalt (I) ion as the active species.