Dual Ligand-Enabled Nondirected C–H Cyanation of Arenes

Aromatic nitriles are key structural units in organic chemistry and, therefore, highly attractive targets for C–H activation. Herein, the development of an arene-limited, nondirected C–H cyanation based on the use of two cooperatively acting commercially available ligands is reported. The reaction enables the cyanation of arenes by C–H activation in the absence of directing groups and is therefore complementary to established approaches.