Combination of a Cyano Migration Strategy and Alkene Difunctionalization: The Elusive Selective Azidocyanation of Unactivated Olefins

A conceptually new, efficient, and metal-free approach for the challenging azidocyanation of unactivated alkenes is presented. The strategy of intramolecular distal cyano migration is combined with alkene difunctionalization for the first time. A variety of useful azido-substituted alkyl nitriles are prepared in good yields and, most importantly, with exquisite regio- and stereo-selectivities.