Activation of trimethylsilyl cyanide and mechanistic investigation for facile cyanosilylation by solid acid catalysts under mild and solvent-free conditions

Sulfated-zirconia is found to be a highly efficient heterogeneous solid catalyst in activating trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) for facile cyanosilylation of aldehydes. A unifying explanation is provided for the cyanosilylation reactions. The unique role of sulfated-zirconia consists of rendering cyanide anions from TMSCN to CO of aldehydes and providing the corresponding cyanohydrin silyl ethers in quantitative yields under mild and solvent-free conditions.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (70 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ Sulfated-zirconia is found to be a highly efficient heterogeneous solid catalyst in activating trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) for facile cyanosilylation of aldehydes. ▶ A unifying explanation is provided for the cyanosilylation reactions.