Cyanides‐Free Cyanation of Aryl Halides using Formamide

Abstract A novel method for cyanation of aryl halides using formamide as a non‐toxic cyanide source is reported. It is a single‐step, solvent‐free method wherein formamide itself acts as solvent as well as source of cyanide in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride and palladium acetate/xantphos catalyst. Aryl iodides as well as aryl bromides provided moderate to excellent yields of up to 93%.