Pd(II)-Catalyzed Addition of Boronic Acids to Nitriles

Significance

There are rather few reports, concerning the catalytic reaction of organoboron compounds with carbon-heteroatom multiple bonds. Herein, a simple and synthetically useful method for the preparation of ketones from nitriles and arylboronic acids is reported. Several types of nitriles, including alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl derivatives were used in the reaction. Beside arylboronic acids, boroxines and aryltrifluoroborates can also be used with slightly lower product yields. The reaction proceeds under relatively mild conditions and should possess a good functional group compatibility.