Ruthenium-Catalyzed Oxidations for Selective Syntheses of Ketones and Acyl Cyanides. Selective Acylation of Amino Compounds with Acyl Cyanides

Abstract

Oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium catalyst gives the corresponding carbonyl compounds with high efficiency. This method can be applied to the oxidation of cyanohydrins to give acyl cyanides which are versatile synthetic intermediates. Acylation of amino compounds with acyl cyanides thus obtained proceeds chemoselectively. Thus, the reaction of amino alcohols with acyl cyanides gives N-acylated products exclusively. In the similar N-acylation of polyamines primary amines are selectively acylated in the presence of secondary amines