Cyclopropenone‐Catalyzed Direct Conversion of Aldoximes and Primary Amides into Nitriles

Efficient conversion of aldoximes and primary amides into nitriles by employing cyclopropenone as an organocatalyst is reported. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions with 5 mol‐% catalyst loading to afford nitriles in excellent yields (78–94 %) in a single operation. This method is equally applicable to both aldoximes and primary amides bearing aromatic, heterocyclic, and aliphatic moieties. The convenient and catalytic procedure widens the scope of the utilization of cyclopropenones in organic synthesis.