Oxidative coupling of α-bromoarylacetonitriles and oxidative decyanation of diarylacetonitriles are efficiently realized by solid-liquid phase transfer catalysis using anhydrous K 3 PO 4 as base and TBAB as catalyst in acetone at room temperature. In this mild and convenient method, α,β-dicyanostilbenes and diarylketones were prepared in good to excellent yields.
