One-pot synthesis of polyfunctionalized α,β-unsaturated nitriles from nitroalkanes

The reaction of nitroalkanes with 2-chloro-3-phenylsulfonylpropanenitrile, in the presence of three equivalents of DBU at −10°C, allows the synthesis of polyfunctionalized α,β-unsaturated nitriles. The method proceeds through three different reactions carried out in a tandem sequence, allowing the one-pot formation of the α,β-unsaturated nitriles, generally, with complete E stereochemistry.