Room temperature synthesis of α,β-unsaturated nitriles by manganese-catalysed base-free coupling of α-saturated nitriles with aldehydes.

ABSTRACT: α,β-Unsaturated nitriles have broad applications, from polymers to pharmaceuticals, but their synthesis still poses significant challenges, as it often involves multistep procedures, or the use of precious metal catalysts, or the generation of significant amounts of waste. Herein, we report a new approach to the synthesis of such nitriles through single-step coupling of α-saturated nitriles with aldehydes, catalysed by a pincer complex of earth-abundant manganese. This reaction proceeds at room temperature in the absence of base or other additives, does not require substrate pre-activation and generates water as the only byproduct. The catalytic system was shown to tolerate various functional groups, including base-sensitive ones, and afforded a wide range of unsaturated nitriles in genera

SUBMITTER: Thiyagarajan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12836030 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature