Nickel-Catalyzed Cyanation of Aryl Thioethers

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/acs.orglett.1c02285

A nickel-catalyzed cyanation of aryl thioethers using Zn(CN)2 as a cyanide source has been developed to access functionalized aryl nitriles. The ligand dcype (1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane) in combination with the base KOAc (potassium acetate) is essential for achieving this transformation efficiently. This reaction involves both a C-S bond activation and a C-C bond formation. The scalability, low catalyst and reagents loadings, and high functional group tolerance have enabled both late-stage derivatization and polymer recycling, demonstrating the reaction's utility across organic chemistry.