A practical synthesis of highly functionalized aryl nitriles through cyanation of aryl bromides employing heterogeneous Pd/C

An industrially viable cyanation of aryl bromides with Zn(CN)2 was accomplished in the presence of inexpensive and readily accessible Pd/C, Zn dust, ZnBr2, and PPh3 in DMA to provide functionalized aryl nitriles in moderate to high yields.