PhI(OAc)(2)-promoted metal-free oxidation of 2-oxoaldehydes: a facile one-pot synthesis of cyanoformamides

A novel, efficient and environmental method for the conversion of 2-oxoaldehydes into cyanoformamides with iodosobenzene diacetate as oxidant has been developed. The reactions proceeded smoothly at room temperature under metal-free conditions and generated the corresponding products in good to excellent yields.