Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-cinnamonitriles via Heck arylation of acrylonitrile and aryl iodides in water

Heck arylation of acrylonitrile and aryl iodides were carried out in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pd(OAc)(2) and Bu4NBr in neat water and a variety of substituted (E)-cinnamonitriles were obtained in good yields under mild conditions.