Remote desaturation of hexenenitriles by radical-mediated cyano migration.

We report a new reaction mode involving functional group migration, which is applied to the radical-mediated remote desaturation of hexenenitriles. The reaction proceeds through consecutive alkene sulfonylation, intramolecular cyano migration, and single-electron oxidation of benzyl radical to cation followed by deprotonation, leading to a variety of densely functionalized alkenes. The protocol features mild photocatalytic conditions, broad functional group tolerance, and high product diversity. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]