Pd-Catalyzed Cyanation of Aryl Chlorides with K4[Fe(CN)6]

Significance The authors describe a new general protocol for the Pd-catalyzed cyanation of various aryl chlorides. In the contrast to previously known methods, their approach uses completely non-toxic and inexpensive potassium hexacyano­ferrate(II) as the cyanide source. The reaction proceeds in the presence of only 0.25-0.5 mol% of the palladium catalyst and is not sensitive to small amounts of water. This method is complementary to the cyanation of aryl bromides, previously described by the group of Beller.