The formation of a carbon-carbon bond by the introduction of a cyano group is a fundamental process in organic synthesis. Most often, this is accomplished by nucleophilic attack of a cyanide ion (CN-) at an electrophilic carbon. A few reagents are known, however, that behave as cyano cation (CN+) equivalents on treatment with a carbanion. These include tosyl cyanide, 1, 2 2-chlorobenzyl thiocyanate, 3 thiocyanogen, 4 and most ...