Synthesis of Aromatic Nitriles Using Nonmetallic Cyano‐Group Sources

Abstract Aromatic nitriles are prepared efficiently through transition‐metal‐mediated cyanation of aryl (pseudo)halides with metallic cyano‐group sources, such as CuCN, KCN, NaCN, Zn(CN) 2 , TMSCN, or K 4 [Fe(CN) 6 ]. However, this approach often suffers from drawbacks, such as the formation of stoichiometric amounts of metal waste, the poisoning of the metal catalysts, or the generation of toxic HCN gas. As a result, a range of “nonmetallic” organic cyano‐group sources have been explored for the cyanation of aryl halides and arene CH bonds. This Minireview summarizes types of nonmetallic cyano‐group sources and their applications in the preparation of aryl nitriles.