Cyano-borrowing: titanium-catalyzed direct amination of cyanohydrins with amines and enantioselective examples

The direct amination of cyanohydrins with amines via a catalytic cyano-borrowing reaction was developed. The transformation features broad substrate scope, excellent functional group compatibility, and very mild and simple operations. Moreover, a titanium catalyst supported by quinine and ( S )-BINOL ligands enabled an asymmetric cyano-borrowing reaction with moderate to high enantioselectivity. The direct amination was developed of cyanohydrins with amines via catalytic cyano-borrowing reaction based on the use of a titanium catalyst supported by quinine and ( S )-BINOL ligands.