Dual electrocatalysis enables enantioselective hydrocyanation of conjugated alkenes.

ABSTRACT: Chiral nitriles and their derivatives are prevalent in pharmaceuticals and bioactive compounds. Enantioselective alkene hydrocyanation represents a convenient and efficient approach for synthesizing these molecules. However, a generally applicable method featuring a broad substrate scope and high functional group tolerance remains elusive. Here, we address this long-standing synthetic problem using dual electrocatalysis. Using this strategy, we leverage electrochemistry to seamlessly combine two canonical radical reactions-cobalt-mediated hydrogen-atom transfer and copper-promoted radical cyanation-to accomplish highly enantioselective hydrocyanation without the need for stoichiometric oxidants. We also harness electrochemistry's unique feature of precise potential control to optimize the

SUBMITTER: Song L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7390704 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature