The preparation of nitriles from primary amides or aldoximes was achieved by using oxalyl chloride with a catalytic amount of dimethyl sulfoxide in the presence of Et3N. The reactions were complete within 1 h after addition at room temperature. A diverse range of cyano compounds were obtained in good to excellent yields, including aromatic, heteroaromatic, cyclic, and acyclic aliphatic species.

The pairing of DMSO and oxalyl bromide is reported as a highly efficient brominating reagent for various alkenes, alkynes and ketones. This bromination approach demonstrates remarkable advantages, such as mild conditions, low cost, short reaction times, provides excellent yields in most cases and represents a very attractive alternative for the preparation of dibromides and α-bromoketones.