Insertion of metallated epoxynitriles into organozirconocene chlorides. A convergent synthesis of 2-cyano-1,3-dienes

Lithiated epoxynitriles insert efficiently into alkenylzirconocene chlorides via a 1,2-metallate rearrangement to form intermediates which eliminate Cp2Zr(Cl)O− to afford substituted 2-cyano-1,3-dienes.