Synthesis
DOI: 10.1055/a-2641-8389
paper

Green Light-Driven Reduction of Methylenemalononitriles with Formate as a Reductant Without a Thiol Hydrogen-Atom-Transfer Catalyst

1   School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P.R. China
,
Jialu Liu
1   School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P.R. China
,
1   School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P.R. China
,
Ximing Xu
1   School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, P.R. China
› Author Affiliations

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (8217131836).


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Abstract

The reduction of methylenemalononitriles to their corresponding methylmalononitriles represents an important transformation in organic synthesis, owing to the ready availability of these starting materials. Herein, we report a safe, cost-effective, and practical photochemical reduction employing readily accessible organophotocatalyst and formate without thiol-mediated HAT catalysts. This method accommodates a broad substrate scope, including diverse (hetero)aryl-substituted methylenemalononitriles, delivering moderate to excellent yields.

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 24 April 2025

Accepted after revision: 23 June 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
23 June 2025

Article published online:
31 July 2025

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