Stereoselective Pincer-complex catalyzed C-H functionalization of benzyl nitriles under mild conditions. An efficient route to beta-aminonitriles.

An efficient palladium pincer-complex catalyzed reaction has been developed for alpha-C-H bond functionalization of benzyl nitriles. The studied coupling reaction with sulfonylimines affords beta-aminonitriles with usually high levels of stereoselectivity. The stereoselectivity of the process is highly dependent on the electronic effects of the ortho substituents of the benzyl moiety.