Synthesis of BCP nitriles enabled by a metallaphotoredox-based multi-component reaction

Abstract

In this issue of Chem Catalysis, Molander and co-workers develop a dual photoredox/nickel-catalyzed alkyl-, acyl-, and sulfonylcyanation of [1.1.1]propellane, providing a straightforward methodology for the synthesis of nitrile-substituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs). They propose a reaction pathway that involves single-electron transfer (SET) and reductive elimination.