Nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling of unactivated (hetero)aryl sulfone with aryl bromide

A nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling of unactivated (hetero)aryl sulfones with aryl bromides via CS bond activation is developed. By relying on the use of nickel as catalyst, 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) as ligand, and magnesium turnings as mediator, a myriad of biaryls could be facilely prepared in moderate to good yields by performing the reactions in THF at ambient temperature. [Display omitted] •Cross-electrophile coupling of unactivated (hetero)aryl sulfones could be achieved.•A variety of biaryls could be obtained with reasonable functional group tolerance.•Nickel catalyst, Mg, and THF are all indispensable for the success of the reaction.•The method avoids the use of unreadily available and sensitive organometallics. A nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling of unactivated (hetero)aryl sulfones with aryl bromides via CS bond activation at ambient temperature is developed. By relying on the use of nickel as catalyst, 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) as ligand, magnesium turnings as mediator, and THF as solvent, a myriad of biaryls could be facilely prepared in moderate to good yields with reasonable functionality compatibility. The present method potentially serves as an attractive alternative to conventional methods, for the use of unreadily available, relatively expensive, and sensitive organometallic reagents could be avoided.