Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Aminocyanation of Arylcyclopropanes for Synthesis of γ‑Amino Nitriles

A facile
approach for the synthesis of enantiopure γ-amino
nitriles by copper-catalyzed aminocyanation of arylcyclopropanes is
disclosed, which undergoes the highly enantioselective ring-opening
reaction of cyclopropanes. The strategy utilizes N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide as nucleophilic nitrogen source as well
as oxidant and trimethylsilyl cyanide as the other nucleophile, and
it probably operates via a key radical cation intermediate. This reaction
provides an efficient platform for asymmetric 1,3-difunctionalization
of cyclopropanes.