Tandem transformations of nitriles into N-heterocyclic compounds by electrophilic trapping of Blaise reaction intermediates

Tandem transformations of nitriles into various N-heterocycles have been accomplished through the reaction of electrophiles with Blaise reaction intermediates formed in situ. The reaction of the Blaise reaction intermediates with propiolates gives 2-pyridones through consecutive C- and N-nucleophilic reactions. The tandem reactions of the Blaise reaction intermediate with 1,3-enynes proceed through C-nucleophilic addition followed by an electrocyclization-aromatization cascade to give pyridines. Exocyclic enamino esters can be prepared by transformations of ω-chloroalkyl nitriles through chemoselective intramolecular alkylation of the Blaise reaction intermediate. Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular arylations or copper-catalyzed intermolecular cross-coupling reactions of the Blaise reaction intermediate give a range of indole derivatives. Combinations of tandem alkylations and palladium-catalyzed couplings of the Blaise reaction intermediates of ω-chloroalkyl nitriles give N-fused indoles.