Gattermann reaction

The Gattermann rection, named for the German chemist Ludwig Gattermann, in organic chemistry refers to a reaction of hydrocyanic acid with an aromatic compound, in this case benzene, under catalysis of with Friedel-Crafts catalyst (aluminium chloride). The reaction is similar to the Friedel-Crafts reaction





It should not confused with the reaction where a diazonium salt is converted to an aryl halide by using copper powder and hydrochloric acid as opposed to using cuprous salt of the halide as in the Sandmeyer reaction. Although in some articles and books this reaction is also called Gatterman reaction.