Stereoconservative Cyanation of [1,1'-Binaphthalene]-2,2'-dielectrophiles. An Alternative Approach to Homochiral C2-Symmetric [1,1'-Binaphthalene]-2,2'-dicarbonitrile and Its Transformations

The performed study on the cyanation of [1,1'-binaphthalene]-2,2'-diiodide and [1,1'-binaph- thalene]-2,2'-diyl ditriflate showed reactions with zinc cyanide catalyzed by palladium phosphane complex in DMF to be the most effective procedures with almost complete conservation of stereogenic information - affording corresponding highly enantiomerically enriched dinitrile (from diiodide: 94% yield, 92% ee). Dinitrile was successfully transformed into [1,1'-binaphthalene]-2,2'-dicarboxylic acid and -2,2'-dicarbaldehyde in high yields (84-87%).