Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Cyanation of Propargylic Radicals Derived From Silyl‐Substituted Allenes and Alkynes

Z Zhongming Cheng (State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis) G Guoyu Zhang (New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, and Shanghai Hong Kong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences 345 Lingling Road Shanghai 200032 China) Y Yunshun Deng (New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China) Y Yiping Zhang X Xiang Li P Pinhong Chen (State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis) G Guosheng Liu

Abstract

Abstract Here, we report an efficient method to synthesize enantiomerically enriched propargyl nitriles via copper‐catalyzed asymmetric cyanation of propargylic radicals, which are generated from silyl‐substituted allenes or alkynes. These reactions proceeded through a highly site‐selective hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) with Cu(II)‐bound nitrogen‐centered radicals (NCRs). Notably, silyl‐substituted allenes demonstrate exceptional allenic sp 2 C─H bond activation selectivity, outcompeting alternative reactive sp 3 C─H bonds (benzylic, allylic, and heteroatom‐adjacent) in HAA processes. This chemo‐selectivity profile enables precise enantiocontrol and site‐specific functionalization of complex molecular architectures.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 26
Published June 24, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (7)

Z

Zhongming Cheng

State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis

G

Guoyu Zhang

New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, and Shanghai Hong Kong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences 345 Lingling Road Shanghai 200032 China

Y

Yunshun Deng

New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China

Y

Yiping Zhang

X

Xiang Li

P

Pinhong Chen

State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, and Shanghai Hongkong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis

G

Guosheng Liu