Ligand-free CuI-catalyzed cyanation of aryl halides using K4[Fe(CN)6] as cyanide source and water as solvent

A methodology for the cyanation of aryl iodides is reported using copper iodide as the catalyst, K4[Fe(CN)6] as the cyanide source, and small quantities of water and tetraethylene glycol as the solvent. Reactions are complete within 30 min of microwave heating at 175 °C. A simple work-up procedure has also been devised.