4-Bromobenzonitrile is used as reagents and solvents. Reaction of 2-propanol, 4-bromobenzonitrile, and NaH in the presence of 1.5 mol % Pd2(dba)3 and 3 mol % (S)-(-)2,2?-bis(di-p-tolylphosphino)- 1,1?-binaphthyl at 50°C afforded 4-isopropoxy- benzonitrile in 80% isolated yield. The synthesis of 4-cyanobiphenyl at room temperature in a flow injection microreactor, using a supported catalyst, without the addition of a base gave a product yield of 67±7% (n=6). This was achieved by injecting 4-bromobenzonitrile. The 3-arylation of 2,5-dimethylthiophene with 4-bromopropiophenone, 4-trifluoromethylbromobenzene or 4-bromobenzonitrile gave 3-5 in only 38-50% yields in Palladium-catalysed direct 3-or 4-arylation of thiophene derivatives using aryl bromides.
