Formal 1,1-Hydrocyanation\nReaction of Alkynyl Halides\nwith Isocyanides Enabled by Dual Nickel/Base Catalysis Relay

We herein describe a formal 1,1-hydrocyanation reaction\nof alkynyl\nhalides with isocyanides enabled by a dual nickel/base catalysis relay. <i>tert</i>-Butyl isocyanide serves as a “HCN” precursor\nthat is introduced to the α-position of alkynyl halides, and\nthe halogen atom is moved to the β-position. As a result, a\nseries of (<i>Z</i>)-3-bromo/iodo acrylonitrile derivatives\ncould be obtained in moderate yields. Mechanistic experiments were\ncarried out, and the collective data could support our proposal of\nthe mechanism details.