A Hydrogen Chloride‐Free Pinner Reaction Promoted by Lewis Acids

A hydrogen chloride‐free variation of the Pinner reaction was developed, in which alcohols react with carbonitriles to furnish carboxylates. Best results were achieved with aliphatic alcohols, and aliphatic or benzylic nitriles in the presence of 2 equiv. of trimethylsilyl triflate (Me₃SiOTf). With these substrates, yields exceeding 80% were achieved. A strictly neutral variation of this protocol is possible, when 1 equiv. of Et₃N is added to the reaction mixture.