New Entry to the Synthesis of α‑Iminonitriles by Lewis Acid Mediated Isomerization of Cyano-Substituted Iminoisobenzofurans Prepared by Palladium-Catalyzed Three-Component Coupling of Arynes, Isocyanides, and Cyanoformates

A variety of α-iminonitriles were formed as the minor products of three-component coupling reactions of arynes, isocyanides, and cyanoformates in the presence of the cationic palladium complex [Pd­(NCPh)2(dppf)]­(BF4)2 as the catalyst, along with cyano-substituted iminoisobenzofurans as the major products. α-Iminonitriles obtained from this process are hardly accessible by conventional methods. In addition, when the isolated iminoisobenzofurans were treated with diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL-H) or AlMe3, the transformation of cyano-substituted iminoisobenzofurans into α-iminonitriles was observed.