An efficient transformation of primary halides into nitriles through palladium-catalyzed hydrogen transfer reaction

Two-step one-pot transformation of primary halides into corresponding nitriles is successfully achieved. Nucleophilic substitution of primary halides with sodium azide and subsequent palladium-catalyzed hydrogen transfer proceeds smoothly in the presence of sterically bulky ligand dicyclohexyl(2',4',6'-triisopropylbiphenyl-2-yl)phosphine (XPhos) in acetone to produce nitriles in satisfactory to good yields.