A mild, chemoselective, one-pot synthesis of δ-keto α-cyano esters by organocatalysis

A sequential condensation of α-cyano esters, aldehydes, and ketones with catalytic amount of pyrrolidine/HOAc at room temperature has been developed. This method offers a chemoselective, one-pot cascade access to δ-keto α-cyano esters with moderate to good yields under mild conditions.