P(i-PrNCH2CH2)3N as a Lewis Base Catalyst for the Synthesis of β-Hydroxynitriles Using TMSAN

Proazaphosphatrane 1a was found to be an efficient catalyst for synthesis of beta-hydroxynitriles via the reaction of trimethylsilylacetonitrile (TMSAN) with aldehydes under mild reaction conditions and typically low catalyst loading (ca. 2 mol%). A variety of functional groups were tolerated, and good to excellent product yields were obtained.