Synthesis of Biaryls via Decarbonylative Nickel-Catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling of Aryl Anhydrides.

Transition metal-catalyzed cross-couplings have been widely employed in the synthesis of many important molecules in synthetic chemistry for the construction of diverse C-C bonds. Conventional cross-coupling reactions require active electrophilic coupling partners, such as organohalides or sulfonates, which are not environmentally friendly enough. Herein, we disclose the first nickel-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of aryl anhydrides and arylboronic acids for the synthesis of biaryls in a decarbonylation manner. The reaction tolerates a wide range of electron-withdrawing, electron-neutral, and electron-donating substituents in this process.