A simple synthesis of 2-(l-hydroxyalkyl)acrylonitriles

Abstract

2-(l-Hydroxyalkyl)acrylonitriles are conveniently prepared in excellent yields by the reaction of acrylonitrile with a variety of aldehydes catalysed by l, 4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane(DABCO). Introduction of multifunctionality in organic molecules is of great importance for the total synthesis of natural products. Recently convenient methods have been reported for the preparation of 2-(l-1-3 hydroxyalkyl)acrylates1–3 and α-methylene-β-hydroxyalkanones.4, 5In continuation4 of our interest in the synthesis of multifunctional molecules, we now report a simple synthesis of 2-(1-hydroxyalkyl) acrylonitriles6, 7via the reaction of acrylonitrile with aldehydes catalysed by l, 4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane(DABCO) at room temperature. © 1987, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.