Pd-Catalyzed Cyanation of (Hetero)Aryl Halides by Using Biphosphine Ligands.

Tetraadamantylbiphosphine (TABP; L1), which showed superior activity in the palladium-catalyzed cyanation of 4-chloroanisole compared to standard phosphines, was synthesized as a new ligand. The generality of the new catalytic system was shown by the cyanation reaction of approximately 30 (hetero)aryl halides including hindered, electron-rich, and electron-poor aryl chlorides. These reactions constitute the first examples of using biphosphine ligands in Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions.