Synthesis of Amides and Nitriles from Vinyl Azides and p-Quinone Methides

A divergent synthesis of amides and nitriles from vinyl azides and p-quinone methides (p-QMs) was developed. The p-QMs could be activated by BF3-Et2O and then nucleophilically attacked by vinyl azides, leading to divergent rearrangement toward amides and nitriles.