A rapid and highly convenient synthesis of nitriles from the corresponding aldoximes using 8-bromocaffeine (8-BC) is described. In this protocol, aldoximes react with 8-BC in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) to furnish the corresponding nitriles under both microwave-assisted and/or conventional heating (reflux) conditions in short times and in
A facile and efficient method for dehydration of aldoximes into nitriles using N-(p-toluenesulfonyl) imidazole (TsIm) is described. In this method, aldoximes were refluxed with TsIm in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in dimethylformamide (DMF) to afford the corresponding nitriles in good yields. This methodology is highly efficient for various structurally diverse aldoximes including aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic oximes. A plausible mechanism for the conversion of aldoxime into nitriles using TsIm/DBU is explained.