α,β-Unsaturated nitriles: preparative MgO elimination

Double deprotonation of β-hydroxynitriles with MeMgCl (2.1 equiv.) generates a dianion that ejects MgO to provide the corresponding α,β-unsaturated nitriles. Structurally diverse β-hydroxynitriles readily eliminate MgO providing an expedient route to highly substituted α,β-unsaturated nitriles.