Tetrahedron letters

Synthesis of butyrolactones by nickel-catalyzed reductive cyanation of alkynols in water

JLG Gutiérrez, F Jiménez-Cruz, NR Espinosa

Index: Garcia Gutierrez, Jose Luis; Jimenez-Cruz, Federico; Espinosa, Noe Rosas Tetrahedron Letters, 2005 , vol. 46, # 5 p. 803 - 805

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Citation Number: 7

Abstract

One-pot catalytic synthesis of butyrolactones from alkynols under mild conditions is described here. The methodology involves the use of the K2 [Ni (CN) 4]/NaBH4 system in presence of KCN and water. According to the experimental evidences, a possible mechanism pathway is suggested, which involves the nickel-catalyzed reductive cyanation of alkynol, followed by nitrile hydration, reduction of double bond and lactonization.