tert-Butoxide-Mediated Arylation of 2-Substituted Cyanoacetates with Diaryliodonium Salts.

A transition metal-free direct arylation of 2-substituted cyanoacetates with diaryliodonium salts was developed. With this approach, a wide range of α-tolunitrile derivatives has been synthesized in good to excellent yields of 45–92%. Furthermore, the practicability of this approach is further manifested in the synthesis of a related bioactive agent of glutarimide.