Synthesis of Nitriles from Aldehydes with Elongation of the Molecule with Two Carbon Atoms

A new protocol for the synthesis of nitriles from carbonyl compounds with elongation of the molecule with two carbon atoms was developed. It involves a reaction of ethyl cyanoacetate with different aldehydes in the presence of iron pentacarbonyl as a reducing agent. This protocol is very simple and requires only commonly available reagents, with no catalyst or complicated ligands being employed.