Acceptor-substituted enynes anti-Michael addition

Lower order cyanocuprates RCu(CN)Li displayed again a different behavior although they usually do not react with acceptor-substituted enynes, the cyanocuprate tBuCu(CN)Li nevertheless underwent anti-Michael additions to 2-en-4-ynoates (e.g. 70) and nitriles affording allenes of type 73 (Scheme 2.26) [51]. Unfortunately, an adequate interpretation of the abnormal behavior of this particular cuprate is still lacking. 

So-called lower order cyanocuprates RCu(CN)Li do not generally react with acceptor-substituted enynes. An exception is the cuprate t-BuCu(CN)Li which undergoes anti-Michael additions with 2-cn-4-ynoates and nitriles (equation 61)151. The mechanistic aspects of this very unusual reaction are unknown radical intermediates and electron transfer steps have not been found. 

---