Copper-catalyzed cyanation of aryl iodide with the combined cyanide source of urea and DMSO

A simple copper-catalyzed cyanation of aryl iodide with the combination of urea and dimethyl sulfoxide as a cyanide source is achieved, providing nitriles in moderate to good yields. This new approach represents an exceedingly practical and safe method for the synthesis of aryl nitriles. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.