Photochemical Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrocyanation of Unactivated Alkenes Using Isonitriles

Yi Lu; Zhonghou Huang; Weidong Meng; Shengqing Zhu; Lingling Chu

doi:10.1002/cjoc.70257

Chinese Journal of Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (24) :3437 -3443. DOI: 10.1002/cjoc.70257

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Photochemical Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrocyanation of Unactivated Alkenes Using Isonitriles

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Abstract

We report a practical, light-driven nickel-catalyzed hydrocyanation of alkenes using readily available isonitriles as cyanide surrogates. This method proceeds under mild conditions, tolerates a wide range of functional groups, and delivers linear alkyl nitriles with high efficiency and excellent regioselectivity. The protocol is broadly applicable, including to the late-stage functionalization of complex, bioactive molecules derived from natural products and pharmaceuticals, providing a direct route to valuable nitrile-containing building blocks and facilitating rapid access to drug-like scaffolds.

Keywords

Hydrocyanation / Alkenes / Isonitrile / Cyanides / Photosensitization / Nickel catalysis / Radicals

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Yi Lu, Zhonghou Huang, Weidong Meng, Shengqing Zhu, Lingling Chu. Photochemical Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrocyanation of Unactivated Alkenes Using Isonitriles. Chinese Journal of Chemistry, 2025, 43(24): 3437-3443 DOI:10.1002/cjoc.70257