A photocatalytic protocol for conversion of aldehydes to nitriles using TMSN3 as a nitrogen source.

Direct interconversion of functional groups is a key strategy in organic synthesis. Here, we developed a photocatalytic transformation of aldehydes to nitriles using TMSN3 as a nitrogen source and NBS as an inexpensive photosensitizer under mild reaction conditions. A series of functional groups (45 cases) were tolerated, including hydroxy, amido, halogen, ester, alkynyl, and so on. Notably, the reaction could be easily scaled to 25 mmol (3.98 g of the target product) with excellent yield.