Solvent-Free Chemoselective Cyanation of α,α-Dibromoacetophenones Using Potassium Hexacyanoferrate(II) as an Eco-Friendly Cyanide Source

A chemoselective route for the synthesis of 2-aryl-3,3-dibromoacrylonitriles by solvent-free cyanation of alpha,alpha-dibromoacetophenones by using potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) as an eco-friendly cyanide source is developed. The merits of this procedure include avoiding the use of a strong toxic cyanide source, a catalyst, and volatile organic solvents and the high yields of the products.