Rhodium-catalyzed reductive cleavage of carbon-cyano bonds with hydrosilane: a catalytic protocol for removal of cyano groups.

The rhodium-catalyzed reductive cleavage of carbon-cyano bonds is developed using hydrosilane as a mild reducing agent. A wide range of nitriles, including aryl, benzyl, and beta-hydrogen containing alkyl cyanides are applicable to this decyanation reaction. The method can also be applied to organic synthesis; the use of benzyl cyanide as a benzyl anion equivalent and the use of a cyano group as a removable ortho-directing group are demonstrated.