Addition reactions continued Lewis base catalysts

Additions to quinoline derivatives also continued to be reported last year. Chiral dihydroquinoline-2-nitriles 55 were prepared in up to 91% ee via a catalytic, asymmetric Reissert-type reaction promoted by a Lewis acid-Lewis base bifunctional catalyst. The dihydroquinoline-2-nitrile derivatives can be converted to tetrahydroquinoline-2-carboxylates without any loss of enantiomeric purity <00JA6327>. In addition the cyanomethyl group was introduced selectively at the C2-position of quinoline derivatives by reaction of trimethylsilylacetonitrile with quinolinium methiodides in the presence of CsF <00JOC907>. The reaction of quinolylmethyl and l-(quinolyl)ethylacetates with dimethylmalonate anion in the presence of Pd(0) was reported. Products of nucleophilic substitution and elimination and reduction products were obtained . Pyridoquinolines were prepared in one step from quinolines and 6-substituted quinolines under Friedel-Crafts conditions <00JCS(P1)2898>. 

The addition of cyanotrialkylsilanes to carbonyl compounds, and especially the development of catalysts for this transformation continues to attract considerable attention owing to the role of cyanohydrin trialkysilyl ethers and cyanohydrins as versatile intermediates in organic synthesis [149]. A variety of catalysts has been developed for such reactions including Lewis acids, transition metal complexes, 18-crown-6 complexes of alkali metals, tetracyanoethylene, Lewis bases, and alkali earth bases. Trimethylcyanation of ketones using Lewis bases does not seem to have been mentioned in the literature. 

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