Cobalt-Catalyzed Nitrile Hydration/Alkyne Hydroarylation Using 2-Cyano-Substituted Arylboronic Acids

Abstract

We developed a novel method for the synthesis of 2-alkenyl primary benzamides. This method is a unique cobalt-catalyzed tandem nitrile hydration/regioselective alkyne hydroarylation employing 2-cyano-substituted phenylboronic acids and 1-aryl-2-trimethylsilylacetylenes. A prominent feature of this reaction is its excellent chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity.