Rh-Catalyzed Anti-Markovnikov Hydrocyanation of Terminal Alkynes

We report the first highly stereo- and regioselective hydrocyanation of terminal alkynes to furnish E-configured alkenyl nitriles. Acrylonitriles can be accessed on gram scale with broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance. The hydrocyanation reaction employs acetone cyanohydrin as a practical alternative to HCN gas.