Abstract Cyanation-O-protection reaction of ketones with different cyanide sources catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes is reported. Under the catalysis of 1, 3-bis (2, 6- diisopropylphenyl) imidazol-2-ylidene, various ketones coupled with diethyl cyanophosphonate to produce cyanohydrin-O-phosphates with a quaternary carbon center in moderate to excellent yield. Furthermore, the reaction can be scaled-up easily and high ...
