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Abstract: Copper-based catalysts were firstly introduced into the cyanation of benzyl chlorides with non-toxic K4[Fe(CN)6]. The presented method avoids the use of extremely poisonous alkali cyanides and precious palladium catalysts. No other reagent apart from CuI, K4[Fe(CN)6] and toluene was used in the cyanation, showing that the presented protocol is simple and practical. A series of benzyl chlorides were smoothly cyanated in up to 85% yield under the optimal conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Non-toxic K4[Fe(CN)6] was demonstrated to be effective as a green cyanating agent for the cyanation of alkyl halides using PPh3/Pd(OAc)2 as a catalyst system. The presented method allowed a series of benzyl chlorides to be smoothly cyanated in up to 88% yield. In order to avoid or suppress the deactivation of the catalyst, the reaction was required to be performed in a stringent inert ambiance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]