Preparation of 4-Heteroaryl-4-cyanopiperidines via SNAr Substitution Reactions.

The scope and limitations of SNAr substitution reactions of metalated 4-cyanopiperidines with heterocyclic halides were explored. These facile reactions provide rapid access to a wide range of 4-heteroaryl-4-cyanopiperidines and have resulted in improved yields, faster reaction times, and lower temperatures than previously published synthetic methods.