Electrochemical Synthesis of β ‐Ketonitriles from Aryl Methyl Ketones

Abstract A synthesis of β ‐ketonitriles by cyanation of aryl methyl ketones with two completely distinct sources of cyanide, namely Me 3 SiCN and KCN, under metal‐ and oxidant‐free electrochemical anodic oxidation conditions is described. In this approach, a range of β ‐ketonitriles can be obtained in good yields. This conversion is facilitated by I 2 , generated in situ from electrochemical oxidation of iodide ion to afford the β ‐ketonitriles. This environmentally benign method is more convenient and practical compared to previous approaches.