Direct Synthesis of Nitriles from Alcohols or Aldehydes Using H₅IO₆/KI in Aqueous Ammonia

Abstract

The oxidative conversion of alcohols or aldehydes to the corresponding nitriles in moderate to good yields was easily achieved by treatment of H₅IO₆ and KI in aqueous NH₃. This simple and one-pot system provides easy workup and separation of the product.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Alcohol
• aldehyde
• ammonia
• nitrile
• periodic acid
• potassium iodide

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors acknowledge Bu-Ali Sina University Research Council (Grant Number 32-1716), Center of Excellence in Development of Chemical Methods (CEDCM), National Foundation of Elites (BMN), and Ilam University, Ilam, Iran for financial support of this work.

Notes

^a Aldehyde/H₅IO₆/KI = 1:2:0.05; alcohol/H₅IO₆/KI = 1:3:0.8.

^b Isolated yield.

^c In the absence of KI.

^d Yield determined by ¹H NMR.

^e Reaction performed at room temperature.

^f Yield determined by preparative TLC.

^g GC yield.