Copper-catalyzed cyanation of aryl iodides with α-cyanoacetates via C–CN bond activation

Abstract

A Cu(I)-catalyzed cyanation reaction of aryl iodides with α-cyanoacetates is reported herein, which uses α-cyanoacetates as the nontoxic and easy-handling CN source through copper-mediated C–CN bond cleavage. This reaction enables access to aryl nitriles with an array of functional groups on the aromatic ring in good to excellent yields.