Cobalt-Catalyzed Oxidative α-Cyanation of Tertiary Aromatic Amines with Trimethylsilyl Cyanide and tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide

In this Letter is described that a cobalt(II)–tert-butyl hydroperoxide oxidizing system was used to catalyze the α-cyanation of aromatic tertiary amines in the presence of trimethylsilyl cyanide to produce the corresponding α-aminonitriles in good yields.