An efficient catalytic method for the Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes to amides and aldoximes to nitriles mediated by propylphosphonic anhydride (T3P®)

An efficient method for the Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes to amides mediated by a catalytic amount (15 mol %) of propylphosphonic anhydride (T3P®) is described. Aldoximes underwent second order Beckmann rearrangement to provide the corresponding nitriles in excellent yields on reacting with T3P (15 mol %) at room temperature. The main advantages of this environmentally friendly protocol include procedural simplicity, and particularly ease of isolation of the products.