Alkynenitriles: stereoselective chelation controlled conjugate addition–alkylations

Chelation-controlled conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to γ-hydroxyalkynenitriles stereoselectively generates tri- and tetra-substituted alkenenitriles. t-BuMgCl-initiated deprotonation of hydroxyalkynenitriles followed by addition of a second Grignard reagents triggers a facile conjugate addition leading to a cyclic magnesium chelate. Protonation of the chelate stereoselectively generates trisubstituted nitriles whereas the addition of t-BuLi causes conversion to an ‘ate’ complex that allows alkylation with aldehyde electrophiles. The chelation-controlled conjugate addition–alkylation generates tri- and tetra-substituted alkenenitriles that are otherwise difficult to synthesize.