Nickel Catalyzed Selective Arylation of Geminal Dinitriles: Direct Access to α‑Cyano Carbonyl Compounds

The catalytic intermolecular arylation
of disubstituted geminal
dinitriles with in situ generated arylnickel complexes
is disclosed. This method efficiently provides various all-carbon
substituted α-cyanocarbonyl compounds without additives and
an inert atmosphere. It also demonstrates the arylation of R-BINOL and S-BINOL derived geminal dinitriles,
preserving optical purity. Mechanistic studies proved that the in situ generated organonickel complex is involved in arylation.