The synthesis of cyanoformamides via a CsF-promoted decyanation/oxidation cascade of 2-dialkylamino-malononitriles.

A mild and efficient method for the synthesis of cyanoformamides from N,N-disubstituted aminomalononitriles with CsF as the promoter has been developed. This method features a wide substrate scope and high reaction efficiency, and will facilitate corresponding cyanoformamide-based biological studies and synthetic methodology development.

Total Synthesis of (±)-Furanether A.

The first total synthesis of (±)-furanether A, which exhibits good antifeedant activity, has been concisely achieved in 13 linear steps. Notably, the key rigid tetracyclic skeleton containing a 1-methyl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane moiety with two vicinal quaternary carbon centers was rapidly constructed in one step through a unique tandem C-H oxidation/oxa-[3,3] Cope rearrangement/aldol cyclization sequence.

Direct synthesis of 2-substituted benzonitriles via alkylcyanation of arynes with N,N-disubstituted aminomalononitriles.

An efficient alkylcyanation of in situ generated arynes by N,N-disubstituted aminomalononitriles is described, enabling the direct synthesis of 2-substituted benzonitriles.