Synthesis of cyanooxovanadate and cyanosilylation of ketones

The cyanosilylation was performed by using metavanadate catalysts, and in situ measurements revealed the formation of [VO2(CN)3]2− and [VO4TMS2]− under reaction conditions. The reaction of [VO2(CN)3]2−, trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN), and water afforded [VO4TMS2]− and CN−, which reacted with ketones to yield the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers over [VO2(CN)3]2−. Compound [VO2(CN)3]2− showed high catalytic performance for cyanosilylation of various carbonyl compounds. In the case of n-hexanal, turnover frequency reached up to 250 s−1.