Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Facile Preparation of (2Z,4E)-Dienamides by the Olefination of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Allyl Acetate
Published on: June 21, 2017
Asymmetric intramolecular arylcyanation of unactivated olefins via C-CN bond activation
Mary P Watson1, Eric N Jacobsen
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
Abstract:
The enantioselective, intramolecular arylcyanation of unactivated olefins via C-CN bond activation has been accomplished using a Ni(0) catalyst and BPh3 co-catalyst. High enantioselectivities are achieved using TangPHOS as a chiral ligand. This method allows the generation of two new C-C bonds and one new quaternary carbon stereogenic center in a single synthetic step, converting readily available benzonitrile substrates into 1,1-disubstituted indanes in 49-85% yield and 92-97% ee.
More Related Videos
09:35Preparation of a Corannulene-functionalized Hexahelicene by Copper(I)-catalyzed Alkyne-azide Cycloaddition of Nonplanar Polyaromatic Units
Published on: September 18, 2016
12:27Synthesis of Hypervalent Iodonium Alkynyl Triflates for the Application of Generating Cyanocarbenes
Published on: September 8, 2013
Related Concept Videos
Aldehydes and Ketones with HCN: Cyanohydrin Formation Overview
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Photochemical Activation
Aldehydes and Ketones with HCN: Cyanohydrin Formation Mechanism
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution: Elimination–Addition