Copper-Catalyzed Alkylation of Nitroalkanes with α-Bromonitriles: Synthesis of β-Cyanonitroalkanes.

Copper catalysis now enables the efficient C-alkylation of nitroalkanes with α-bromonitriles. Using a simple and inexpensive catalyst, this process provides access to β-cyanonitroalkanes. The method is highly tolerant of various functional groups and substitution patterns. These functionally dense products serve as orthogonally masked 1,3-diamines, which can be revealed selectively for access to differentially substituted diamines. These products can also be exploited for the formation of complex cyanoalkenes and 5-aminoisoxazoles.