Ni-Mediated Generation of “CN” Unit from Formamide and Its Catalysis in the Cyanation Reactions

The in situ generation of a "cyano" unit from readily available organic precursors is of high interest in synthetic chemistry. Herein, we report the first example of Ni-mediated dehydration of formamide to form "CN" and its subsequent catalytic applications in the hydrocyanation of alkynes and cyanation of aryl halides. Formamide can serve as a convenient source for the nitrile unit, in that it releases water as the only byproduct.