Ketones cyanidation

FIGURE 17.7 The mechanism of cyanohydrin formation from an aldehyde or a ketone. Cyanide ion is a catalyst it is consumed in the first step, and regenerated in the second. 

Similarly, functional groups such as ketones, cyanides, esters, and amides accelerate the rate of the Ni-catalyzed alkyl-alkyl couphng. It was found that additives, such as acetophenones, benzophenones, and styrenes, with electron-withdrawing substituents accelerate the reaction (Scheme 3.65) [238]. Among all of these additives, p- and m-trifluoromethyl-substituted styrenes were the most effective ones in affording high yields at faster rates. 

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