Facile One‐Pot Transformation of Arenes into Aromatic Nitriles under Metal‐Cyanide‐Free Conditions

Abstract Electron‐rich arenes bearing methyl or methoxy groups on the aromatic ring were treated with dichloromethyl methyl ether and ZnBr 2 , and then with molecular iodine and aq. ammonia to give the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good yields. Using this method, febuxostat was efficiently prepared from 4‐bromophenol in four steps. The method can be used for the preparation of aromatic nitriles from arenes in one pot under metal‐cyanide‐free conditions.