Microwave-promoted Pd-catalyzed cyanation of aryl triflates: a fast and versatile access to 3-cyano-3-desoxy-10-ketomorphinans.

[reaction: see text] A methodology for the microwave-promoted conversion of triflates to the corresponding nitriles by using 8% equiv of Pd(Ph(3)P)(4) as the catalyst and 2.0 equiv of Zn(CN)(2) as the cyanide source has been developed. This method is highly efficient for the preparation of 3-cyano-3-desoxy-10-ketomorphinans. The reaction was generally completed in 15 min at 200 degrees C and produced products in greater than 86% yields.