Free-Radical-Promoted Copper-Catalyzed Intermolecular Cyanosulfonylation and Cyanotrifluoromethylation of Unactivated Alkenes in Water-Containing Solvents.

A novel and practical copper-catalyzed strategy for intermolecular cyanosulfonylation and cyanotrifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes in water-containing solvents is described. The methodology developed provides an efficient and convenient access to a variety of β-sulfonyl nitriles and β-trifluoromethyl nitriles, which would have wide applications in chemical and pharmaceutical industries.