Isonitrile-nitrile rearrangement promoted by samarium(II) iodide

Abstract

A samarium(II) iodide-promoted rearrangement of isonitriles to nitriles, which requires an alpha-alkoxycarbonyl group at the carbon atom bearing the isonitrile group, occurs under very mild conditions and contrasts with the thermal version of the; rearrangement, which usually requires high temperature.