Recent Advances in Chemical Modifications of Nitriles

Abstract

AbstractNitrile represents a synthetically important class of compounds, relevant to the preparation of fine organic chemicals, natural products, and biologically active molecules. The electronegative nitrogen atom and electropositive carbon atom of cyano group endow nitriles with rich and diverse chemical properties. Traditional chemical transformations of nitriles usually involve the use of strong acids, bases, and other harsh conditions. To overcome these limitations, various catalytic methods have been explored both in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. In this review, we summarize some of the recent progress on the development of efficient synthetic methods involving nitriles. Especially, the classic transformations of nitriles including hydration, hydrolysis and reduction reactions are discussed in detail, which provide rapid access to a series of important small molecules, such as amides, ketones, amines, and imines. The reaction development, as well as the design of the catalytic system will be discussed with special emphasis placed on the mechanistic aspects.