Cu-mediated C–H cyanation of arenes using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as the “CN” source

Abstract

This paper describes the direct C–H bond cyanation of 2-phenylpyridines employing N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as both the reagent and solvent. DMF provides both the C and N units in the generated “CN” group in this cyanation transformation. This reaction gives a novel protocol with high atom economy to extend the application of DMF and provides an alternative approach to aryl nitriles.