A new protocol for the synthesis of nitriles from carbonyl compounds with elongation of the molecule with two carbon atoms was developed. It involves a reaction of ethyl cyanoacetate with different aldehydes in the presence of iron pentacarbonyl as a reducing agent. This protocol is very simple and requires only commonly available reagents, with no catalyst or complicated ligands being employed.

The Cover Feature shows juggling of aldehydes and cyanoacetate as balls in reducing hands to give nitriles with elongation of carbon chain with two atoms. A chemist juggles with different molecules to obtain new functionality after collisions of the “balls“. Iron pentacarbonyl hand illustrates a tool that turns the result of this reaction to the desired pathway. In experienced hands, molecules undergo transformation. More information can be found in the https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.201801412