Palladium-Catalyzed Cyanation under Mild Conditions: A Case Study to Discover Appropriate Substrates among Halides and Pseudohalides

Abstract

A case study has been effectively carried out to identify a suitable substrate among halides and pseudohalides for the palladium-catalyzed cyanation reactions under mild conditions. Among the various substrates considered for evaluation, aryl pentafluorobenzenesulfonates and nonaflates were identified to be the best substrates when compared to corresponding halides and pseudohalides. The substoichiometric use of nontoxic, environmentally benign potassium hexacyanoferrate as a cyanide source and exceptionally milder conditions further highlights the significance of the protocol developed. A wide range of electronically biased and sterically challenging substrates provided the corresponding the nitriles in good to excellent yields.