From aldehydes to nitriles, a general and high yielding transformation using HOF·CH3CN complex

N,N-Dimethylhydrazones of aldehydes undergo a rapid oxidative cleavage to form nitriles in very high yields on reaction with HOF·CH₃CN under mild conditions. The reaction is chemoselective and proceeds rapidly without racemization. The nitriles were resistant to further oxidation, even when a large excess of the reagent was employed.