The cyanation-esterification reaction of α-keto esters catalysed by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) is developed. Under the catalysis of 10 mol% 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, aromatic and aliphatic α-keto esters reacted with ethyl cyanoformate or acetyl cyanide to produce the corresponding cyano esters with a tetrasubstituted carbon center in high yields.