Nitrile biosynthesis in nature: how and why?

Abstract

Natural nitriles comprise a small set of secondary metabolites which however show intriguing chemical and functional diversity.

Photoredox/copper-catalyzed gem-difluoroalkylation-cyanation of 1,3-enynes

“…Inspired by these impressive achievements and recent advances, we envisioned that the gem -difluoroalkylallenes could be accessed via photoredox/copper-catalyzed gem -difluoroalkylation-cyanation of 1,3-enynes from TMSCN and difluoromethyl/difluoro(phenylthio)methyl phosphonium reagents (Scheme 2c). Considering the importance of difluoroalkyl groups and the potential derivatization of nitrile group, 23 the incorporation of both of these groups into allene molecules would be worthwhile.…”