Cyanide-Free Ce(III)-Catalyzed Highly Efficient Synthesis of α‑Iminonitriles from 2‑Aminopyridines and Nitroalkenes via Intermolecular Dehydration Reaction

A direct and rapid
method for the synthesis of α-iminonitriles
achieved good to excellent yields. A novel intermolecular dehydration
reaction between 2-aminopyridines and nitroalkenes is reported via
a rare-earth-metal catalyst. The merits of this transformation include
cyanide-free protocol, short reaction time, simple operation, water
as the only byproduct, commercially available reagents, good functional
group tolerance, etc. Moreover, nitroalkenes are demonstrated as a
new “CN” source in this transformation.

一种用于合成α-亚胺腈（α-iminonitriles）的直接且快速的方法，可获得良好至优异的反应产率。本研究报道了一种经稀土金属催化剂催化的、2-氨基吡啶与硝基烯烃之间的新型分子间脱水反应。该转化反应的优势包括：无氰化物路线、反应时长较短、操作简便、仅以水作为唯一副产物、原料均为市售试剂、官能团耐受性良好等。此外，本研究证实硝基烯烃可在该转化中作为新型"CN"源。