Methanesulfonyl cyanide

CAS 24225-08-9, Cat. No EN300-85890
Reagent for cyanation and cycloaddition

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Methanesulfonyl cyanide (MsCN) is a more reactive and more unstable analogue of tosyl cyanide (TsCN), known as a strong electrophilic cyanating reagent¹. It is a volatile liquid/low-melting solid that is shelf-stable for a prolonged period without loss of purity and can be distilled without decomposition². MsCN cleanly transfers the CN group to many nucleophiles (phenoxides, amines, thiols, Grignard reagents, organolithiums, cuprates, and enolates), giving cyanates in high yields. It is also a reactive dienophile and dipolarophile, participating in [4+2] cycloadditions and 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions to form pyrimidines, oxadiazoles, triazoles, tetrazoles, and other heterocycles. Due to its reactivity, MsCN is usually applied on a small scale and in cases when TsCN fails to yield results.

Synonyms: methanesulphonyl cyanide; methylsulfonyl cyanide; MsCN