Catalytic cascade synthesis of cyanohydrin esters via water/O2-induced cyanide transfer from K3Fe(CN)6

Abstract

The copper-catalyzed α-oxygenation of aryl benzyl ketones is merged with a unique water/O₂-induced release of cyanide ions from K₃Fe(CN)₆ and a benzil-cyanide reaction. This strategy gives expedient access to cyanohydrin esters starting directly from broadly accessible aryl benzyl ketones. The cyanide release strategy was further integrated with a copper catalyzed oxygenation-decarbonylation sequence to produce cyanohydrin esters from 1,3-diketones.