Reductive decyanation of malononitriles and cyanoacetates using photoactivated neutral organic super-electron-donors†‡
Abstract
A metal-free reductive procedure for decyanation of malononitriles and cyanoacetates, using photoactivated organic electron donors, is described. Decyanation of cyanoacetates is more difficult than for malononitriles and it requires higher loading of the electron donor and extended reaction times. An anionic intermediate is proposed for the observed decyanations and a plausible mechanism is presented.
- This article is part of the themed collections: Celebrating the 2016 RSC Prize and Award Winners and In Celebration of Max Malacria’s 65th Birthday