Iridium-catalyzed ring cleavage reaction of cyclobutanone O-benzoyloximes providing nitriles

[GRAPHICS] Iridium-catalyzed ring cleavage reaction of cyclobutanone O-benzoyloximes in the presence of 9,10-dihydroanthracene and potassium carbonate proceeds to give saturated nitriles via C-C bond fission at the sterically more hindered site.