Catalytic Cyanation Using CO2 and NH3

Selective cyanation of aryl halides was achieved with CO2 and NH3 as the only sources of carbon and nitrogen, respectively. In the presence of Cu catalysts under low pressure (3 atm), a variety of aromatic iodides and bromides were transformed to the desired nitrile products without the use of toxic metal cyanides. Notably, olefins, esters, amides, alcohols, and amino groups were tolerated. Mechanistic studies suggest that Cu(III)-aryl insertion by isocyanate intermediates is involved. [C-13,N-15]-labeled nitriles were conveniently accessible from the respective isotope-labeled CO2 and NH3 via this methodology.