Abstract: The ruthenium (II)-catalyzed reaction of nitriles with carbonyl compounds proceeds highly efficiently under neutral and mild conditions to give a&unsaturated nitriles. Under similar reaction conditions, nitriles react with olefins bearing electron-withdrawing groups to give the corresponding Michael adducts. The efficiency of the reaction is illustrated by the selective additions to a, p-unsaturated aldehydes and acetylenes bearing electron- ...
