ZnO-supported Pd nanoparticle-catalyzed ligand- and additive-free cyanation of unactivated aryl halides using K4[Fe(CN)6].

The use of a new ZnO-supported palladium(0) nanoparticle catalyst for the cyanation of aryl halides using a relatively benign cyanide source, K4[Fe(CN)6], is described. This catalyst has been applied for the efficient cyanation of a variety of functionalized aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides. This process circumvents the need for an additive and a ligand for the reaction and offers the advantages of high product yields, low catalyst loading (0.2 mol % Pd), and recyclability of the catalyst.