Non-Cryogenic CeCl3-Promoted Double Additions of Methyllithium and n-Butyllithium to Unsaturated Nitriles

Subjection of methyl or n-butyllithium to a mixture of nitriles and activated cerium chloride in THF at -10 to 0 °C afforded the corresponding carbinamines, which were isolated as either the hydrochloride salts or acetamide or benzamide derivatives in 30-91% vields.