Mn/Cu catalyzed addition of arylboronic acid to nitriles: Direct synthesis of arylketones

A direct and efficient synthesis of arylketones via arylboronic acid addition to nitriles in presence of inexpensive Mn/Cu catalytic system is reported. The use of non-precious Mn and Cu salts has been found to be highly advantageous both in terms of accessibility as well as cost effectiveness. A series of arylboronic acids as well as nitriles were used to synthesize a variety of symmetrical and unsymmetrical arylketones. Based on the literature studies, the reaction mechanism is anticipated to go through an aryl radical intermediate which reacted with the copper activated nitrile to give the desired arylketones after the hydrolysis of the imine intermediate.