Synthesis of (Z)-3-aryloxy-acrylonitriles, (E)-3-aryloxy-acrylonitriles and 3-cyanobenzofurans through the sequential reactions of phenols with propiolonitriles?

Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Pub Date: 2012-07-05 DOI: 10.1039/C2OB25969A

Abstract

A Na2CO3-promoted addition of phenols to propiolonitriles generated (Z)-3-aryloxy-acrylonitriles in nearly quantitative yields with exclusively Z-isomers, and a DABCO-promoted addition reaction of phenols with propiolonitriles afforded mainly (E)-3-aryloxy-acrylonitriles with high yields. The obtained (E)-3-aryloxy-acrylonitriles underwent intramolecular cyclization to give 3-cyanobenzofurans in good yields through palladium-catalyzed direct C–H bond functionalization.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis of (Z)-3-aryloxy-acrylonitriles, (E)-3-aryloxy-acrylonitriles and 3-cyanobenzofurans through the sequential reactions of phenols with propiolonitriles
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