ZnI 2 -Mediated Cyanomethyl Ether Synthesis from MEM Ethers with Trimethylsilyl Cyanide

Key Points

• The aim is to develop a practical method for synthesizing cyanomethyl ethers from aliphatic alcohols.
• Utilized trimethylsilyl cyanide in the presence of various Lewis acids.
• Investigated the efficacy of multiple Lewis acids.
• Employed zinc iodide (ZnI2) as a catalyst for the reaction.
• ZnI2 was identified as the most effective Lewis acid among those tested.
• Bidentate coordination of ZnI2 with the MEM group influences the synthesis.
• Steric hindrance of substrates also plays a significant role in the transformation.

Abstract