Synthesis of 2,2,3,3-tetracyanocyclopropyl ketones and their reactions with oxygen-centered nucleophiles

A procedure for the synthesis of 2,2,3,3-tetracyanocyclopropyl ketones has been developed on the basis of three-component Wideqvist reaction of dihydroxymethyl ketones, 2-bromomalononitrile, and malononitrile. The presence of five electron-withdrawing groups in the resulting cyclopropyl ketones determines high acidity of proton in the cyclopropane ring. Facile deprotonation by the action of bases promotes opening of the three-membered ring with formation of either 1,1,3,3-tetracyanopropenides or (in the presence of alcohols or oximes), [2-alkoxy(aminooxy)-5-amino-4-cyanofuran-3(2H)-ylidene]malononitriles. The reaction with acetone oxime was not accompanied by cleavage of the three-membered ring, and nucleophilic attack was directed at the cyano groups in the trans position with respect to the carbonyl group to give the corresponding (1R*,5S*,6R*)-4-amino-2,2-bis(prop-2-ylideneaminooxy)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-ene-1,5-dicarbonitriles.