A new palladium catalyst system for the cyanation of aryl chlorides

The influence of reaction conditions and additives on the palladium-catalyzed cyanation of aryl chlorides with potassium cyanide has been investigated. Successful cyanation of aryl chlorides is observed in the presence of palladium catalysts using potassium cyanide. It is shown that the combination of a 1,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane ligand and the addition of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) as a co-catalyst are the key factors in obtaining the corresponding aryl nitriles with improved catalyst productivities and selectivities.