Brønsted acid mediated nitrogenation of propargylic alcohols: an efficient approach to alkenyl nitriles

Abstract

A novel and efficient approach to alkenyl nitriles from readily available propargylic alcohols has been developed. This nitrogenation reaction is transition-metal-free and could be conducted under air at ambient temperature, which makes this protocol promising and practical. Moreover, NH₄Br is disclosed as an efficient additive to promote the stereoselectivity of this reaction.