Catalytic nucleophilic activation of acetonitrile via a cooperative catalysis of cationic Ru complex, DBU, and NaPF6

The development of an efficient catalytic system for the direct addition of acetonitrile under mild amine basic conditions is described. A cooperative catalysis of CpRu complex, DBU, and NaPF6 enables chemoselective and catalytic generation of nucleophiles from barely acidic acetonitrile, which is integrated into the addition to aldehydes, imines, and activated ketones. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the three catalyst components work together to achieve high catalytic efficiency.