An expedient, facile and simple one-pot synthesis of 2-methylenealkanoates and alkanenitriles from the Baylis-Hillman bromides in aqueous media.

This protocol is for an expedient and operationally simple one-pot synthesis of 2-methylenealkanoates and alkanenitriles in high yields from the corresponding Baylis-Hillman bromides. The reaction proceeds via the successive treatment with 1,4-diazabicyclo(2.2.2)octane (DABCO) for 15 min and sodium borohydride for 15 min in aqueous media [tetrahydrofuran (THF):H2O (1:1)] at room temperature.