Single and double Suzuki-Miyaura couplings with symmetric dihalobenzenes

reaction: see text] m- or p-Diiodobenzene undergoes selective double coupling reactions with arylboronic acids and esters. Selectivity for double coupling over single coupling is remarkably strong: even with a diiodobenzene:monoboronic acid ratio of 10:1, the products of double coupling are formed in good yields. Steric hindrance and electronic influences of the boronic acid or ester, and reaction conditions do not appear to impact significantly upon the outcome of the reaction. In contrast, m- and p-dibromobenzenes undergo single couplings with aryl boronic acids with high selectivity.