Dephosphorylation of cyano diethyl phosphates by reduction with lithium–liquid ammonia: an efficient method for conversion of carbonyl compounds into nitriles

Abstract

Cyano diethyl phosphate derivatives of aromatic carbonyl compounds and α,β-unsaturated ketones were successively dephosphorylated by reduction with lithium in liquid ammonia followed by treatment with isoprene or alkyl halides to give β,γ-unsaturated nitriles or α-alkyl-β,γ-unsaturated nitriles in moderate to good yields.