Potassium tert-butoxide promoted a direct one-pot synthesis of nitriles from aldehydes at room temperature

Potassium tert-butoxide mediated a direct one-pot synthesis of diversely substituted nitriles from aldehydes via the sequential addition of hydroxylamine and benzoyl chloride is reported. A wide range of aromatic, heteroaromatic, and vinyl aldehydes were converted into corresponding nitriles in good to excellent yields. Room temperature reactions, transition metal-free conditions, wide functional group tolerance, simple operation, and short reaction time are the salient features of the developed methodology.

Graphical abstract

An efficient base-mediated a direct synthesis of aromatic and heteroaromatic nitriles from corresponding aldehydes was reported. As the starting ingredients for the synthesis, aldehyde, and hydroxylamine were combined with benzoyl chloride in a series of reactions. Notably, this process may be carried out at room temperature without the need for transition metal catalysts, making it a practical and effective process. A wide variety of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes gave the products in good to excellent yields. Broad substrate scope, easy operation, quick reactions, tolerance of different functional groups, and room temperature reactions are the important features of the developed methodology.