Rapid, Easy Cyanation of Aryl Bromides and Chlorides Using Nickel Salts in Conjunction with Microwave Promotion

We report here a fast, easy, and efficient method for the preparation of aryl nitriles from aryl bromides and chlorides. The methodology for aryl bromides involves the use of either Ni(CN)₂ or NaCN and NiBr₂. With aryl chlorides, a mix of NaCN and NiBr₂ is used and the reaction proceeds via the in situ formation of the corresponding aryl bromide. The reaction can be performed in air and is complete within 10 min.