Microwave Assisted Ligand Free Palladium Catalyzed Synthesis of β-Arylalkenyl Nitriles Using Water as Solvent

We have developed a rapid and efficient method for the synthesis of beta-arylalkenyl nitriles by one pot three component coupling reaction of diphenyl acetylene, K-4(Fe)CN6, and aryl halides using Pd(OAc)(2) as a catalyst and water as a solvent under microwave irradiation. The method is very simple and attractive as it requires only a shorted reaction time and employs cyanide source which is safe and inexpensive.