An unexpected disproportional reaction of 2H-azirines giving (1E,3Z)-2-aza-1,3-dienes and aromatic nitriles in the presence of nickel catalysts.

An unprecedented nickel-catalysed disproportional reaction of 2,3-diaryl-2H-azirines forming azabutadienes and aromatic nitriles was discovered. This reaction involves the cleavage of two bonds of the 2H-azirine framework, which provides a novel type of transformation of 2H-azirines. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012