Transition Metal–Free Synthesis of Vinyl Nitriles from Aldehydes with Acetonitrile at Room Temperature.

A simple and mild protocol for the direct synthesis of vinyl nitriles is described. By employing potassium trimethylsilanolate as the mild base and benzyl chloride as the efficient promoter, a series of E‐configured vinyl nitriles are selectively obtained from readily available aldehydes and acetonitrile at room temperature without the aid of a transition metal catalyst. Mechanistical investigations reveal that this transformation may go through a Knoevenagel condensation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]