What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to develop a practical method for synthesizing cyanomethyl ethers from aliphatic alcohols.

March 22, 2026

ZnI 2 -Mediated Cyanomethyl Ether Synthesis from MEM Ethers with Trimethylsilyl Cyanide

Key Points

The aim is to develop a practical method for synthesizing cyanomethyl ethers from aliphatic alcohols.
Utilized trimethylsilyl cyanide in the presence of various Lewis acids.
Investigated the efficacy of multiple Lewis acids.
Employed zinc iodide (ZnI2) as a catalyst for the reaction.
ZnI2 was identified as the most effective Lewis acid among those tested.
Bidentate coordination of ZnI2 with the MEM group influences the synthesis.
Steric hindrance of substrates also plays a significant role in the transformation.

Abstract

A highly practical protocol for preparing cyanomethyl ethers from aliphatic alcohols via their MEM ethers has been developed using trimethylsilyl cyanide in the presence of a Lewis acid. A number of Lewis acids were investigated, and ZnI2 was found to be the most effective for converting a variety of MEM ethers to the corresponding cyanomethyl ethers. Both bidentate coordination of ZnI2 with the MEM group and steric hindrance of the substrates play pivotal roles in this transformation.

Connected Papers

Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

Discussion

Authors

Mallesham Samala

Chandrashekhar Rapelli

Minjung Kwak

Kangwon National University

Journals

The Journal of Organic Chemistry

Actions

Institutions

Kangwon National University

References and Citations

Connected Papers

Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

ZnI 2 -Mediated Cyanomethyl Ether Synthesis from MEM Ethers with Trimethylsilyl Cyanide

Key Points

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

Institutions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Cite this study