An efficient synthesis of cyanoarenes and cyanoheteroarenes via lithiation followed by electrophilic cyanation

A one-pot procedure for the conversion of mono-substituted arenes and heteroarenes into the ortho-cyano derivatives was achieved through directed lithiation followed by electrophilic cyanation with phenyl cyanate. This reaction method proved to be applicable to halogen-lithium exchanged intermediates, so especially useful for the synthesis of benzonitriles. The scope of the reaction sequence was explored using a number of substrates. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.