Abstract
BF3 center dot OEt2 catalyzed 1,6-conjugate addition of tertbutyl isocyanide to para-quinone methides and fuchsones for the synthesis of alpha-diaryl and alpha-triaryl nitriles has been reported. This protocol allows alpha-diaryl- and alpha-triaryl nitriles to be accessed in good to excellent yields and with a broad substrate scope, which could be further functionalized to give a versatile set of products. This is the first example wherein tert-butyl isocyanide has been used as a cyanide source for the 1,6-conjugate addition.