Efficient Negishi coupling reactions of aryl chlorides catalyzed by binuclear and mononuclear nickel-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

We describe the first nickel-N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling reaction of a variety of unactivated aryl chlorides, heterocyclic chlorides, aryl dichlorides, and vinyl chloride. The mononuclear and binuclear nickel-NHC complexes supported by heteroarene-functionalized NHC ligands are found to be highly efficient for the coupling of unactivated aryl chlorides and organozinc reagents, leading to biaryls and terphenyls in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. For all aryl chlorides, the binuclear nickel catalysts show activities higher than those of mononuclear nickel complexes because of possible bimetallic cooperative effect.