An elimination reaction of N-carbomethoxy-N,N-dimethylhydrazonium salts to alkyl nitriles

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(98)00787-X

A new kind of elimination of hydrazonium salts to alkyl nitriles has been developed. The reaction of hydrazones and chloroformates results in the formation of hydrazonium salts, which react in situ with water to afford alkyl nitriles. The elimination is adapted to a range of solvents and gives good yields of α-secondary and tertiary alkyl-substituted nitriles.