One-pot four-component synthesis of 2-aryl-3,3-dihaloacrylonitriles using potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) as environmentally benign cyanide source

An efficient route to one-pot four-component reactions of aroyl chlorides, potassium hexacyanoferrate(II), triphenylphosphine and carbon tetrahalides to synthesize 2-aryl-3,3-dichloroacrylonitriles and 2-aryl-3,3-dibromoacrylonitriles was described. This protocol has advantages of use of non-toxic cyanide source, high yield and simple work-up procedure.

cyanation; four-component synthesis; potassium hexacyanoferrate(II); cyanide source; triphenylphosphine; 2-aryl-3,3-dichloroacrylonitriles; 2-aryl-3,3-dibromoacrylonitriles