The first isolation of α-hydroperoxy-N-arylimidoyl cyanides from 2-arylamino-2-alkenenitriles (α-cyanoenamines)

Treatment of N-1-(2-chloroalkylidene)arylamines 6 with KCN in CH3CN at reflux afforded 2-arylamino-2-alkenenitriles 3 (42-58%), which underwent autoxidation, yielding the corresponding alpha-hydroperoxyimidoyl cyanides (95-100%). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.