Reaction of Cyanotrimethylsilane with Oxiranes. Effect of Catalysts or Mediators on Regioselectivity and Ambident Character
Reaction of cyanotrimethylsilane with oxiranes under the catalytic action of Lewis acids Pd(CN)2, SnCl2, or Me3Ga affords 2-trimethylsiloxy isocyanides by regio- and stereoselective attack of isocyanide on the more substituted carbon.The reaction mediated by aluminium alkoxides gives predominantly 3-trimethylsiloxy nitriles by the selective attack of cyanide on the less substituted carbon.