Catalytic cyanomethylation of various carbonyl compounds with (trimethylsilyl)acetonitrile (TMSCH2CN) in the presence of Lewis bases such as cesium or lithium acetate proceeded smoothly to afford t...
(dimethylsilyl)acetonitriles (Me2HSiCR3R4CN) react spontaneously with aldehydes in DMSO to give β-hydroxynitriles in good to high yields. The addition to ketones is effectively promoted by using MgCl2 or CaCl2. (Dimethylsilyl)acetonitrile (Me2HSiCH2CN) shows lower reactivity than the α-alkylated analogues. However, the parent reagent adds efficiently to aldehydes and ketones under catalysis by AcOLi or MgCl2.