Synthesis of cyanooxovanadate and cyanosilylation of ketones

Abstract

The cyanosilylation was performed by using metavanadate catalysts, and in situ measurements revealed the formation of [VO₂(CN)₃]²⁻ and [VO₄TMS₂]⁻ under reaction conditions. The reaction of [VO₂(CN)₃]²⁻, trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN), and water afforded [VO₄TMS₂]⁻ and CN⁻, which reacted with ketones to yield the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers over [VO₂(CN)₃]²⁻. Compound [VO₂(CN)₃]²⁻ showed high catalytic performance for cyanosilylation of various carbonyl compounds. In the case of n-hexanal, turnover frequency reached up to 250 s⁻¹.