ChemInform Abstract: Cobalt(II)‐Catalyzed Coupling Reaction of α,β‐Unsaturated Compounds with Aldehydes by the Use of Phenylsilane. New Method for Preparation of β‐Hydroxy Nitriles, Amides, and Esters.

Abstract Benzaldehyde (Ia) is coupled with the acrylonitriles (II) in the presence of phenylsilane (III) and a cobalt bisdiketonate to form the intermediate β‐siloxy nitriles (IV) which are hydrolyzed, yielding the hydroxy analogues (V).