Trimethylsilyl Cyanide (Tmscn, Cas 7677-24-9) - Versatile Cyanation Reagent

Trimethylsilyl Cyanide (TMSCN, CAS: 7677-24-9), also known as cyanotrimethylsilane, is an important organosilicon reagent with the molecular formula C4H9NSi. It is widely recognized in organic synthesis as a convenient and relatively safer in situ source of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), enabling efficient cyanation reactions under controlled laboratory and industrial conditions. TMSCN is commonly used in nucleophilic cyanation processes, particularly for the formation of carbon–carbon bonds. It reacts readily with aldehydes, ketones, and imines to produce cyanohydrins and related nitrile-containing intermediates, which are key building blocks in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and fine chemical synthesis. Compared with direct handling of hydrogen cyanide, Trimethylsilyl Cyanide offers improved operational safety and ease of handling while maintaining high reactivity. In medicinal chemistry, TMSCN plays a crucial role in the synthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds and functional intermediates used in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The introduction of a nitrile group is often employed to enhance molecular stability, metabolic resistance, and binding affinity, making TMSCN an essential reagent in drug discovery and optimization programs. From an industrial perspective, Trimethylsilyl Cyanide is valued for its compatibility with a wide range of Lewis acids and catalytic systems, allowing flexible reaction design and scalable production. Its consistent performance and high efficiency support both research-scale experimentation and commercial manufacturing of advanced organic intermediates. Overall, Trimethylsilyl Cyanide (CAS: 7677-24-9) is a versatile and indispensable reagent in modern organic synthesis, offering a practical balance of reactivity, safety, and synthetic utility for cyanation chemistry across pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and specialty chemical applications.