Copper-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective Iodocyanation and Dicyanation of Alkynes with Cyanogen Iodide

anti-Selective iodocyanation and dicyanation of
various internal alkynes has been developed by means of a simple copper
catalyst system. The selectivity of the products was switched by tuning
the reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies have revealed all of
the stepwise pathways including diiodide formation, selective monocyanation,
and second cyanation processes.