Reactions of 2-(Dialkylamino)arylacetonitriles with Acetylenes Under Basic Conditions. A Simple Synthesis of Substituted Mono and Diketones

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1990-26839

2-(Dialkylamino)arylacetonitriles 1 react with acetylenes 2a,b in dimethyl sulfoxide, powdered sodium hydroxide and triethylbenzylammonium chloride as a catalyst to give 3 and/or 4.The latter are formed via addition of anion 8 to immonium salt 9.The type of product formed depends on the basicity of amino moiety in 3.Furthermore, compound 1 adds to C-1 of acetylene 2c affording the vinyl derivatives 15.The products 3,4,11 and 15 are hydrolyzed to give ketones 5-7,12 and 16, respectively.