Synthesis of Dienamides via the Reaction of Nitrile with Allylindium Reagents and Intramolecular Acyl Group Quenching Cascade

Various dienamide derivatives were synthesized in reasonable yields from benzonitriles having an amide moiety at the ortho-position, via the sequential (i) In-mediated allylation of nitrite moiety to form an imine intermediate, (ii) intramolecular quenching of an acyl group by the imine intermediate, and (iii) a proton transfer to dienamide.