Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Cyanation of Aryl Halides and Phenol Derivatives via Transnitrilation

Herein, we report a Ni-catalyzed reductive coupling for the synthesis of benzonitriles from aryl (pseudo)halides and an electrophilic cyanating reagent, 2-methyl-2-phenyl malononitrile (MPMN). MPMN is a bench-stable, carbon-bound electrophilic CN reagent that does not release cyanide under the reaction conditions. A variety of medicinally relevant benzonitriles can be made in good yields. Addition of NaBr to the reaction mixture allows for the use of more challenging aryl electrophiles such as aryl chlorides, tosylates, and triflates. Mechanistic investigations suggest that NaBr plays a role in facilitating oxidative addition with these substrates.