C-Silylation de composes a fonction nitrile. Synthese de nitriles α-silicies

The direct silylation by Me₃SiCl/Li/THF of saturated nitriles having a hydrogen atom in the α position with respect to the function leads, according to a simple and rapid process, to the corresponding α-silylated nitriles in yields that are moderate but much higher than those given by the comparable previously known routes. α, β-Unsaturated nitriles give the derivatives resulting from the disilylation of the double bond. Allyl or benzyl cyanide and diphenyl acetonitrile first undergo the elimination of the nitrile group (which behaves as a halogen atom) whereas cyanamid affords bis(trimethylsilyl)carbodiimide giving after further silylation the unexpected tris(trimethylsilyl)amine.