Synthesis of Biphenyl-2-carbonitrile Derivatives via a Palladium-Catalyzed sp2 C-H Bond Activation Using Cyano as a Directing Group

Pd-II-catalyzed aromatic C-H bond activation using cyano as a directing group was carried out in TFA medium. Biphenyl-2-carbonitrile derivatives were therefore synthesized from aryl nitriles and aryl halides in moderate to good yields.