Sara Sobhani - Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of birjand, birjand, Iran
Azam Habibollahi - Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of birjand, birjand, Iran

Aryl nitriles are important structural units of various natural products, polymers, pharmaceuticalsand dyes [1]. Nitriles are also key intermediates in the synthesis of heterocycles, as theyare easily converted into a variety of functional groups such as carboxylic acids, oximes,amines, amides and ketones [2]. Transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions betweenaryl halides and metal cyanides such as CuCN, NaCN, and Zn(CN)2 are an efficient alternationfor the synthesis of aryl nitriles in relatively mild reaction conditions and with high yields[3]. However, many of the cyanide sources are highly toxic, hence the industrial applicationsof such reactions are often limited. Recently, Beller et. al. reported the use ofK4[Fe(CN)6].3H2O as a safe cyanide source for cyanation of aryl halides. This is non-toxicand commercially available compared to the other cyanide ion sources. By the way, a generalproblem of metal catalyzed cyanationreactions is related to the high affinity of cyanide iontowards the metal catalysts. By considering the above mentioned facts, in the current study. Anew hydrophilic Pd-based catalyst was successfully synthesized and used for the cyanationreactions of aryl halids using K4[Fe(CN)6].3H2O as a safe cyanide source. Significantly heterogeneousmagnetically-recyclable catalyst can be separated easily using a magnetic bar andreused nine times without any drastic loss of its catalytic activity. Using water as a green solvent,facile catalyst recovery and reuse, simple work-up and not requiring any additive orpromoter make this method desirable from the environmental and economic point of view, touse in such coupling reactions.