The use of electron-poor, fluoro-containing arylboronic acids as general coupling partners for nickel(0) /tricyclohexylphosphine-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl arenesulfonates is described. Electron-poor fluoro-containing arylboronic acids were found to react, faster than electron-rich/neutral arylboronic acids, with (4-methoxyphenyl)(4-methylbenzenesulfonato-κO)bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)nickel. Bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel(0)/tricyclohexylphosphine, (4-methoxyphenyl)(4-methylbenzenesulfonato-κO)bis(tricyclohexylpho sphine)nickel and bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)nickel (II) bromide were all found to be efficient catalysts/catalyst precursors.
Keywords: Aryl Arenesulfonates; Arylboronic Acids; Cross-Coupling; Electron-Poor; Ni(0).