Straightforward Iron-Catalyzed Synthesis of Nitriles by Dehydration of Primary Amides

In the present study, the iron-catalyzed dehydration of a range of amides to the corresponding nitriles by using N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) as the dehydration reagent has been explored. After investigating different reaction parameters (e. g., iron source, solvent, catalyst loading) with FeCl2 center dot 4H(2)O, an excellent and easily accessible precatalyst was found. The obtained system (5.0 mol-% [Fe], 3.0 equiv. MSTFA) was highly active and dehydrated a broad scope of amides selectively to the corresponding nitriles under mild reaction conditions (THF, 70 degrees C) within two hours (yields: >99%, selectivities: >99%).