Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Nitriles by Aerobic Oxidative Reaction of Alcohols and Ammonium Formate

An efficient methodology has been developed for the synthesis of nitriles through an aerobic oxidative reaction of alcohols and ammonium formate with copper as a homogeneous catalyst under a normal air atmosphere and solvent-free conditions. This protocol uses the air as a green oxidant and ammonium formate as the nitrogen source. A wide range of substrates were well tolerated in the reaction that gave water as a byproduct.