A direct synthesis of 1-aryl- and 1-alkenylcyclopropylamines from aryl and alkenyl nitriles
The reaction of various aromatic nitriles with 1.1 equiv of Ti(Oi-Pr)4 and 2.2 equiv of EtMgBr followed by addition of a Lewis acid gave 1-aryl cyclopropylamines in 43-76% yields. Under similar conditions, conjugated alkene-nitriles afford 1-alkenylcyclopropylamines (42-65%).