Reaction of terminal Alkynes with hydrazines to give nitriles, catalyzed by TpRuCl(PPh3)2:: Novel catalytic transformation involving a vinylidene ruthenium

The reaction of terminal alkynes with hydrazines in the presence of TpRuCl(PPh3)(2) (Tp = tris(pyrazolyl)borate) as a catalyst gave nitriles. This reaction involves the intermolecular attack of nitrogen nucleophiles at the alpha-carbon atom of (vinylidene)metal intermediates which. are generated from terminal alkynes.