Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Aryl 2-Pyridyl Ethers with Organozinc Reagents: Removal of the Directing Group via Cleavage of the Carbon-Oxygen Bonds

J Org Chem. 2021 Feb 5;86(3):2235-2243. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.0c02389. Epub 2021 Jan 14.

Abstract

Reaction of aryl 2-pyridyl ethers with arylzinc reagents under catalysis of NiCl2(PCy3)2 affords aryl-aryl cross-coupling products via selective cleavage of CAr-OPy bonds. The reaction features a wide substrate range and good compatibility of functional groups. β-H-free alkylzinc reagents are also applicable as the nucleophiles in the transformation, whereas β-H-containing alkylzinc reagents lead to a mixture of cross-coupling and hydrogenation products.