The cooperative catalysis of CpRu(PPh3)2(CH3CN)PF6
(1b) and DBU enables chemoselective nucleophilic activation of acetonitrile in the presence of base-sensitive aldehydes 2 to afford corresponding β-hydroxynitriles 3 in good yield.
mild amine basic conditions is described. A cooperative catalysis of CpRu complex, DBU, and NaPF6 enables chemoselective and catalytic generation of nucleophiles from barely acidic acetonitrile, which is integrated into the addition to aldehydes, imines, and activated ketones. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the three catalyst components work together to achieve high catalytic efficiency.