Copper-Catalyzed Cyanation of Aryl- and Alkenylboronic Reagents with Cyanogen Iodide

Direct catalytic cyanation of organoboronic acids with cyanogen iodide has been achieved by using a copper-bipyridine catalyst system. The cyanation reaction is likely to occur through two catalytic cycles: copper(II)-catalyzed iodination of organoboronic acids and the following cyanidocopper(I)-mediated cyanation of organic iodides.