Copper-Catalyzed Radical Allene C(sp²)−H Cyanation

While the hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) from C(sp³)−H bond has been well explored, the radical-mediated chemo- and regio-selective functionalization of allenic C(sp²)−H bond via direct HAA from C(sp²)−H bond of allene remains an unsolved challenge in synthetic chemistry. This is primarily due to inherent challenges with addition of radical intermediates to allenes, regioselectivity of HAA process, instability of allenyl radical toward propargyl radical et al. Herein, we report a copper catalyzed allenic C(sp²)−H cyanation of an array of tri- and di-substituted allenes with exceptional site-selectivity, while mono-substituted allene was successfully cyanated, albeit with a low yield. In the developed strategy, steric N-fluoro-N-alkylsulfonamide, serving as precursor of hydrogen atom abstractor, plays a crucial role in achieving the desired regioselectivity and avoiding addition of N-centered radical to allene.