An Efficient Synthesis of 2-Aminofuran-3-carbonitriles via Cascade Stetter--γ-Ketonitrile Cyclization Reaction Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbene.

An efficient method for the synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted 2-aminofuran-3-carbonitriles via a cascade Stetter-γ-ketonitrile cyclization reaction of aromatic aldehydes with acylidenemalononitriles, catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes, has been developed. This procedure provides the corresponding products in moderate to high yields under mild conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]