Synthesis and chemical reactions of α-cyano-α-isocyanoalkanoic acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1996-4442

α-Cyano-α-isocyanoalkanoic acid esters 5 were synthesized in very good yields starting from alkyl α-cyano-α-(formylamido)acetates 3 by alkylation of the appropriate enolates followed by dehydration with trichloromethylchloroformate (diphosgene)/triethylamine at low temperatures. Bromination of these esters gave α-cyano-α-(dibromomethylideneamino)alkanoic acid esters 6 in quantitative yields. Reduction of 6 with magnesium led to 5.