Manganese‐Catalyzed ortho ‐C−H Alkenylation of Aromatic N−H Imidates with Alkynes: Versatile Access to Mono ‐Alkenylated Aromatic Nitriles

So far, the direct C−H alkenylation of aromatic nitriles with alkynes has not been achieved. Herein, we discribe the first manganese‐catalyzed C−H alkenylation of aromatic N−H imidates to access mono ‐alkenylated aromatic nitriles. The reaction is accelerated by the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium pivalate. This protocol is also highlighted by the simple catalytic system, good compatibility of functional groups, and excellent mono‐/dialkenylation selectivity as well as E / Z stereoselectivity.