Direct C-H Cyanoalkylation of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones via Radical C-C Bond Cleavage.

An efficient synthesis of cyanoalkylated heteroarenes via iron-catalyzed direct C-H cyanoalkylation of heteroarenes has been developed. Structurally diverse cyanoalkyl motifs generated through C-C bond cleavage of cyclobutanone oxime esters have been introduced into quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones, flavone, benzothiazoles, and caffeine in good to excellent yields. Remarkably, less-strained cyclopentanone and unstrained cyclohexanone oxime esters were also amenable substrates in this cyanoalkylation reaction.