A convenient synthesis of polysubstituted 2-amino-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-nitriles from benzoins or benzaldehydes

A convenient assembly of polysubstituted 2-amino-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-nitriles from a tandem Michael addition/cyclization reaction between benzoins and arylidenemalononitriles is described. The products are also obtained from readily available benzaldehydes via a sequential N-heterocyclic carbene–catalyzed benzoin condensation and Michael addition/cyclization process in a one-pot tandem procedure.