Facile transformation of esters to nitriles

Various esters were efficiently converted into the corresponding nitriles in good yields by the treatment with sodium diisobutyl-tert-butoxyaluminium hydride (SDBBA-H), followed by treatment with molecular iodine in aq ammonia. The present one-pot method is very efficient and practical for the conversion of various aromatic and aliphatic esters into the corresponding nitriles.