A radical anti-Markovnikov addition of alkyl nitriles to simple alkenes via selective sp 3 C–H bond functionalization

An efficient hydrocyanoalkylation of unactivated alkenes with alkyl nitriles was developed. Through this free-radical-initiated selective activation of the α-C(sp(3))-H bond of acetonitriles, an anti-Markovnikov addition of an α-cyano C-centered radical to olefins has been achieved, which allows a facile and convenient access to functionalized nitriles in large scales.