The synthesis of cyanoformamides via a CsF-promoted decyanation/oxidation cascade of N,N-disubstituted aminomalononitriles.

The first total synthesis of (±)-furanether A, which exhibits good antifeedant activity, has been concisely achieved in 13 linear steps. Notably, the key rigid tetracyclic skeleton containing a 1-methyl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]­octane moiety with two vicinal quaternary carbon centers was rapidly constructed in one step through a unique tandem C–H oxidation/oxa-[3,3] Cope rearrangement/aldol cyclization sequence.

An efficient alkylcyanation of in situ generated arynes by N,N-disubstituted aminomalononitriles is described, enabling the direct synthesis of 2-substituted benzonitriles.