“…Traditional methods include functionality transformations of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and amides (Scheme a, (i)), and condensations between ketones/aldehydes with primary alkyl nitriles or other cyanomethyl-containing reagents (Scheme a, (ii)). , Transition-metal catalyzed functional cyanation (for example, hydrocyanation or carbocyanation) of alkynes (Scheme a, (iii)), couplings of alkenes or alkenyl (pseudo)halides (Scheme a, (iv)), and alkene metathesis of simple cyanoalkenes (Scheme a, (v)) represent three strategically different methods. The oxidative cyanation of alkenes (Scheme a, (vi)) and Ramberg-Backlund reaction (Scheme a, (vii)) were also developed. Recently, Jiao, Houk and co-workers cleaved the arene rings to synthesize acyclic alkenylnitriles (Scheme a, (viii)) …”