A chelation-assistedpalladium-catalyzed ortho-cyanation of the sp2 C−H bond by CuCN provided aromatic nitriles in moderate to good yields. Notably, the reaction could be conducted on a 10 mmol scale. The key intermediate of the natural product of Menispermum dauricum DC was concisely synthesized by the procedure. This new approach represents an exceedingly practical method for the synthesis of aromatic
A chelation-assistedpalladium-catalyzed cascade bromination/cyanation reaction of 2-arylpyridine and 1-arylpyrazole C−Hbonds has been developed. Notably, the reaction employs K3[Fe(CN)6] as a safe and nontoxic cyanide source, providing aromatic nitriles in moderate to good yields in one-pot. The procedure tolerates methoxy, chloro, fluoro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, and carbomethoxy groups.