Palladium-catalyzed ligand-promoted site-selective cyanomethylation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds with acetonitrile

The direct cyanomethylation of unactivated sp(3) C-H bonds of aliphatic amides was achieved via palladium catalysis assisted by a bidentate directing group with good functional group compatibility. This process represents the first example of the direct cross-coupling of sp(3) C-H bonds with acetonitrile. Considering the importance of the cyano group in medicinal and synthetic organic chemistry, this reaction will find broad application in chemical research.