Acyl Cyanides as Bifunctional Reagent: Application in Copper-Catalyzed Cyanoamidation and Cyanoesterification Reaction

Cu-catalyzed domino decyanation and cyanation reaction of acyl cyanides with amines or alcohols have been developed. The cyano sources were generated in situ via C–CN cleavage yielding the corresponding cyano substituted amides or esters in moderate to excellent yields. This approach features a cheap copper catalyst, domino decyanation and cyanation reaction, readily available starting materials, broad substrate scope, operational simplicity, and the potential for further transformation of the cyano group.