Cu(TFA)2 -Catalyzed Picolinamido-Directed C(sp2 )−H Cyanation of Naphthalenes by Using Benzoyl Cyanide as a Cyano Source

A protocol for the Cu(TFA)2-catalyzed (TFA=trifluoroacetic acid) picolinamido-directed C8−H cyanation of naphthalene derivatives with benzoyl cyanide as the cyano source has been developed. A series of 8-cyano-1-(picolinamido)naphthalene derivatives were efficiently obtained in moderate to good yields by using this method. We prepared a total of 22 products, 10 of which have not previously been reported. Benzoyl cyanide was originally employed for the C(sp2)−H cyanation of arenes. The picolinamide moiety served a critical role as the directing group in this cyanation reaction of naphthalenes.