From aldehydes to nitriles, a general and high yielding transformation using HOF·CH3CN complex

N,N-Dimethylhydrazones of aldehydes undergo a rapid oxidative cleavage to form nitriles in very high yields on reaction with HOF·CH3CN under mild conditions. The reaction is chemoselective and proceeds rapidly without racemization. The nitriles were resistant to further oxidation, even when a large excess of the reagent was employed.