Switchable Cobalt-Catalyzed α-Olefination and α-Alkylation of Nitriles with Primary Alcohols

The first switchable alpha-olefination and alpha-alkylation of nitriles with primary alcohols catalyzed by a well-defined base transition-metal Co complex was presented. A broad variety of nitriles and primary alcohols are selectively and efficiently converted to the corresponding products by this method. It is noteworthy that the transformation is environmentally benign and atom efficient with H-2 and H2O being the sole byproducts.

Automated summary

A switchable alpha-olefination and alpha alkylation of nitriles with primary alcohols catalyzed by a well-defined base transition-metal Co complex was presented, offering a broad variety of nitriles and primary alcohols to be selectively and efficiently converted to the corresponding products. The transformation is environmentally benign and atom efficient with H-2 and H2O being the sole byproducts.