P-Arylation of secondary phosphine oxides catalyzed by nickel-supported nanoparticles

Abstract

A protocol for the cross coupling of aryl halides with secondary phosphine oxides over Ni/CeO₂ or Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts has been developed for the first time. The advantages offered using this protocol are operational simplicity and the use of an inexpensive heterogeneous nickel catalyst in the absence of any additional ligand. A range of aryl bromides and iodides are coupled with secondary phosphine oxides using low loadings of a catalyst (1 mol%) via this procedure, with good to high yield (up to 86%). Moreover, the influence of nickel particle size and catalyst support on P-arylation of secondary phosphine oxides has also been established.