Base-dependent divergent α-cyanation and pyridylation of tertiary amines with cyanoaromatics

Abstract

Divergent synthesis has emerged as a powerful and economical approach in synthetic chemistry. Herein, we show a base-dependent divergent photochemical C–C coupling reaction of tertiary amines with cyanoaromatics. Remarkably, by simply adjusting the type of base, we can selectively carry out α-cyanation and pyridylation of tertiary amines.