Ionic liquid-promoted one-pot oxidative Michael addition of TMSCN to Baylis–Hillman adducts

The first example of ionic liquid-promoted one-pot oxidative conjugate hydrocyanation of Baylis–Hillman adducts with trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) is reported. The oxidation of Baylis–Hillman adducts with IBX/[bmim]Br or isomerization-oxidation with NaNO3/[Hmim]HSO4 systems affords β-ketomethylene compounds or [E]-cinnamaldehydes, respectively. These α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds undergo Michael addition with TMSCN in the same vessel to afford the corresponding thermodynamically more stable β-cyanated products. Thermodynamically less stable 1,2-addition products were not formed. The present regioselective reactions are promoted by ionic liquids, which can be recycled easily for further use without any loss of efficiency.