Arylcyanation of alkynes catalyzed by nickel

A nickel catalyst prepared from Ni(cod)2 and PMe3 is found to effect arylcyanation reaction of alkynes, namely, cleavage of a C–CN bond of an aryl cyanide followed by addition of each fragment across an alkyne. A wide range of functional groups in aryl cyanides tolerated the catalysis, giving variously functionalized β-arylalkenenitriles stereoselectively.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide