Copper-Catalyzed Three-Component Carboazidation of Alkenes with Acetonitrile and Sodium Azide

A copper-catalyzed three-component reaction of alkenes, acetonitrile, and sodium azide afforded γ-azido alkyl nitriles by formation of one C(sp3 )-C(sp3 ) bond and one C(sp3 )-N bond. The transformation allows concomitant introduction of two highly versatile groups (CN and N3 ) across the double bond. A sequence involving the copper-mediated generation of a cyanomethyl radical and its subsequent addition to an alkene, and a C(sp3 )-N bond formation accounted for the reaction outcome. The resulting γ-azido alkyl nitrile can be easily converted into 1,4-diamines, γ-amino nitriles, γ-azido esters, and γ-lactams of significant synthetic value.