Remote meta-C-H Cyanation of Arenes Enabled by a Pyrimidine-Based Auxiliary

An easily removable pyrimidine-based auxiliary has been employed for the remote meta-C-H cyanation of arenes. The scope of this Pd-catalyzed cyanation reaction using copper(I) cyanide as the cyanating agent was demonstrated with benzylsilanes, benzylsulfonates, benzylphophonates, phenethylsulfonates, and phenethyl ether derivatives. The method was utilized for the synthesis of pharmaceutically valuable precursors.