Recyclable and Reusable Pd(OAc)2/XPhos-SO3Na/PEG-400/H2O System for Cyanation of Aryl Chlorides with Potassium Ferrocyanide

Pd(OAc)(2)/XPhos-SO3Na in a mixture of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-400) and water is shown to be a highly efficient catalyst for the cyanation of aryl chlorides with potassium ferrocyanide. The reaction proceeded smoothly at 100 or 120 degrees C with K2CO3 or KOAc as base, delivering a variety of aromatic nitriles in good to excellent yields. The isolation of the crude products is facilely performed by extraction with cyclohexane and more importantly, both expensive Pd(OAc)(2) and XPhos-SO3Na in PEG-400/H2O system could be easily recycled and reused at least six times without any apparent loss of catalytic efficiency. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

Pd(OAc)(2)/XPhos-SO3Na in a mixture of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-400) and water has been demonstrated as a highly efficient catalyst for the cyanation of aryl chlorides with potassium ferrocyanide. The catalyst can be easily recycled and reused at least six times without any apparent loss of catalytic efficiency, showing good potential for practical applications.