Abstract
Conditions for the C-CN activation and intramolecular cyanoesterification of alkynes to provide butenolides in good to excellent yields are presented. Pd catalysts, high temperatures/short reaction times (microwave irradiation), and Lewis basic solvents minimized competitive decarbonylation. Less sterically encumbered, electron-rich alkynes underwent cyanoesterification with greater ease compared to sterically encumbered, electron-deficient alkynes. The results led to the hypothesis that migratory insertion of the alkyne, rather than C-CN activation, might be the product-determining step.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1940-1943 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Organic Letters |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 15 2011 |