Nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling of aryl thiols with aryl bromides via C–S bond activation

Abstract

The reaction of aryl thiols with aryl bromides usually provides thioethers as the major products, even in the presence of a transition metal catalyst and a zinc mediator. We report here a cross-electrophile coupling of aryl thiols with aryl bromides via C–S bond activation instead of S–H bond cleavage. The reaction proceeded effectively in the presence of a nickel catalyst, magnesium turnings, and lithium chloride in THF at room temperature to afford a variety of structurally diverse biaryls in moderate to good yields.