The reaction of aromatic aldehydes with methyl thiocyanate in the presence of tributylphosphine afforded both S-methyl thiobenzoates and phenylacetonitriles via a noveldisproportionation pathway involving carbon—carbon bond formation.
The invention provides heterocyclic compounds with quaternary centers and methods of preparing compounds. Methods include the method for the preparation of a compound of Formula (II):
comprising treating a compound of Formula (I):
with a transition metal catalyst and under alkylation conditions as valence and stability permit.