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.
Key words
palladium - pentafluorobenzenesulfonates - nonaflates - potassium hexacyanoferrate
- cyanation