Organo-Catalyzed Michael Addition Of 2-Fluoro-2-Arylacetonitriles

An efficient synthesis of a variety of 2-arylacetonitriles containing a fluorinated stereogenic center through organo-catalyzed Michael addition reaction of 2-fluoro-2-arylacetonitriles has been developed. This protocol uses a cheap organocatalyst (DBU) and has a broad substrate scope: alpha, beta-unsaturated ketones, esters, nitriles and sulfones were all successfully reacted. Importantly, water proved to be a good solvent for this reaction. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.