Cu(TFA)2 -Catalyzed Picolinamido-Directed C(sp2 )−H Cyanation of Naphthalenes by Using Benzoyl Cyanide as a Cyano Source

A new protocol for Cu(TFA)2-catalyzed picolinamido-directed C8-H cyanation of naphthalene derivatives with benzoyl cyanide as cyano source was developed. A series of 8-cyano-1-(picolinamido)naphthalene derivatives were facilely and conveniently obtained in moderate to good yields by using this method. There were 10 new compounds in the synthesized 22 cyanide products. In this reaction, benzoyl cyanide as cyano source was originally employed to the C(sp2)-H cyanation of the arenes, and the picolinamide moiety as the directing group played a critical role in cyanation of naphthalenes.