The displacement reaction of various non-activated aryl halides with cyanide ions was investigated in the presence of palladium salts. Various aryl iodides and bromides were converted into the corresponding aryl cyanides in good yields under mild conditions. The addition of certain substances, such as potassium hydroxide and potassium carbonate, enhanced the catalytic activity. Hexamethylphosphoric triamide, in which potassium cyanide was scarcely soluble, was an outstanding solvent for the reaction. The reduced palladium species was supposed to be the active catalyst.
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