Gold(III)-catalyzed cyanosilylation of ketones and aldehydes

Abstract

Gold(III) chloride was found to be a highly efficient catalyst for the cyanosilylation of various ketones and aldehydes. The reactions were complete within 30 minutes at room temperature in the presence of only one mol% gold(III) chloride, yielding the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers in very good yields. The isolated yields for the reactions of ketones were up to 98%, and the reactions of aldehydes gave 100% conversion, as monitored by (1)H NMR spectroscopy.