Phase-transfer catalyzed nucleophilic addition of arylalkanenitrile carbanions to substituted propenylarenes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1993-35865

Phenylacetonitrile and 2-phenylalkanenitriles react under phase transfer catalysis conditions with 2-propenylanisoles containing electron-withdrawing substituents (or their corresponding precursors, 2-allylanisoles) via the Michael addition pathway to give substituted 4-aryl-2-phenylbutyronitriles.