Regioselective Synthesis of Isocyano-containing Densely Functionalized Alkenes from Propynenitriles

A transition metal-free, base mediated approach has been devised for the synthesis of novel densely functionalized alkenes containing isocyanide, nitrile and ester functionalities. The strategy was found applicable to gram-scale synthesis and a library of functionalized alkenes with significant diversity was developed. It was found that strategy could also be used for the synthesis of trisubstituted pyrrole derivatives by modifying the reaction conditions. The advantages of this approach are operationally simple procedure, short reaction time (10-30 min), broad substrate scope, high atom economy, metal-free conditions, and high regioselectivity with good to excellent product yields.