Rh(III)-catalyzed direct cross-dehydrogenative coupling of aromatic nitriles with heteroarenes: Rapid access to biheteroaryl-2-carbonitriles

Abstract

Transition-metal-catalyzed direct C–H/C–H cross-coupling reactions as efficient and atom-economical approaches have been widely used to build up complex heterocyclic compounds. However, the strategy for preparation of biphenyl-2-carbonitriles has not been well established. Herein, we described the first cyanogen directed Rh(III)-catalyzed CDC reaction of aromatic nitriles with heteroarenes. Various biphenyl-2-carbonitrilederivatives were obtained with broad functional group compatibility.

Keywords

• Rh(III)-catalysis
• Cross-dehydrogenative coupling
• C–H activation
• Heteroarylation
• Biphenyl-2-carbonitriles