Nickel-Catalyzed Isomerization/Allylic Cyanation of Alkenyl Alcohols

Abstract

Herein reported is a nickel-catalyzed isomerization/allylic cyanation of alkenyl alcohols, which complements current methods for the allylic substitution reactions. The specific diphosphite ligand and methanol as the solvent are crucial for the success for this transformation. A gram-scale regioconvergent experiment and formal synthesis of quebrachamine demonstrate the high potential of this methodology.