Progression on Oxidative Decyanation Approaches from Secondary Nitriles to Ketones and α-Aminonitriles to Amides

The functional group transformation associated with nitrile moiety is considered a diligent research topic in the synthetic community as it is a building block for several organic molecules, including ketones and amides. Many synthetic methodologies have been developed for synthesizing ketones and amides, considering them synthetic analogues with exciting biological properties. However, there are limited research articles to synthesize these important classes of compounds via oxidative decyanation of nitriles and alpha-aminonitriles. As several protocols are developed in decyanation, base-induced oxidative decyanation of nitrile functionality to the oxo group via a carbanion formation is an effective but under-explored area of research. In this context, we wish to present an outline of studies in oxidative decyanation of secondary nitriles and alpha-aminonitriles to afford corresponding ketones and amides since its inception.