Optimization of the reaction conditions^a.

Entry	Cat.	Base	Solvent	Yield
1	Ni(PPh3)2Cl2	Cs2CO3	DMF	67%
2	Pd(OAc)2	Cs2CO3	DMF	65%
3	Cu(OAc)2	Cs2CO3	DMF	65%
4	Co(OAc)2	Cs2CO3	DMF	63%
5		Cs2CO3	DMF	65%
6		KF	DMF	Trace
7		K3PO4	DMF	Trace
8		K2CO3	DMF	48%
9		KOH	DMF	52%
10		KOtBu	DMF	46%
11		Et3N	DMF	Trace
12		Cs2CO3	CH3CN	18%
13		Cs2CO3	DME	23%
14		Cs2CO3	Toluene	Trace
15		Cs2CO3	DCE	Trace
16		Cs2CO3	Dioxane	Trace

^aReaction conditions: 1a (0.1 mmol, 1 equiv.), TMSCN (0.3 mmol, 3 equiv.), cat. (0 or 10 mol%), base (0.3 mmol, 3 equiv.) and solvent (1 mL), at 80 °C for 10 h; isolated yield.