Transition metal polyhydrides-catalyzed addition of activated nitriles to aldehydes and ketones via Knoevenagel condensation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(93)80087-R

Transition metal polyhydrides and dihydrogen complexes catalyze Knoevenagel addition of cyanoacetate to aldehydes and ketones under neutral and mild conditions, the adducts undergo dehydration to give substituted (E)-2-cyano-α,β-unsaturated esters exclusively.