Catalytic cascade synthesis of cyanohydrin esters water/O-induced cyanide transfer from KFe(CN).

The copper-catalyzed α-oxygenation of aryl benzyl ketones is merged with a unique water/O-induced release of cyanide ions from KFe(CN) and a benzil-cyanide reaction. This strategy gives expedient access to cyanohydrin esters starting directly from broadly accessible aryl benzyl ketones. The cyanide release strategy was further integrated with a copper catalyzed oxygenation-decarbonylation sequence to produce cyanohydrin esters from 1,3-diketones.

Recent advances in catalytic decarboxylative transformations of carboxylic acid groups attached to a non-aromatic sp or sp carbon.

Chemists learn the most important transformations of the carboxylic acid functionality (COOH) from as early as the first semester of their studies. Carboxylic acids are not only safe to store and handle, but also broadly accessible with great structural diversity either from commercial sources or by means of a large variety of well-known synthesis routes. Consequently, carboxylic acids have long been recognized as a highly adaptable starting material in organic synthesis.