The stereochemistry of organometallic compounds: XXXVI. Regio- and stereo-chemical control in the nickel-catalysed hydrocyanation of silylalkynes

Abstract The regioselectivity of hydrocyanation of silylalkynes can be controlled by varying the size of the groups attached to silicon leading, for example, to efficient preparations of E -3-trialkylsilyl-2-alkyl-2-alkenenitriles. High yields of the silylalkene nitriles can be obtained by using either acetone cyanohydrin or hydrogen cyanide as reagents.