Cu-Catalyzed alkylation–cyanation type difunctionalization of styrenes with aliphatic aldehydes and TMSCN via decarbonylation

Abundant linear, α-mono- and di-substituted aliphatic aldehydes are decarbonylated into primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl radicals for the alkylation–cyanation of styrene derivatives to provide various carbon-chain elongated nitriles.