Direct Cross-Couplings of Aryl Nonaflates with Aryl Bromides under Nickel Catalysis

The direct cross-couplings of aryl nonaflates with aryl bromides could be successfully accomplished by utilizing nickel as the catalyst, magnesium as the metal mediator, and lithium chloride as the additive. The reactions proceeded efficiently in THF at room temperature to produce the desired biaryls in moderate to good yields, showing both a reasonable substrate scope and functional group tolerance. Additionally, an equally good performance could be realized when the reaction was subjected to scale-up synthesis. Preliminary study suggested that the reaction presumably proceeds through the in situ formation of an arylmagnesium reagent as the key reaction intermediate.