Nickel-Catalyzed 1,1-Difluoroethylation of (Hetero)aryl Halides with 1,1-Difluoroethyl Chloride (CH3CF2Cl)

1,1-Difluoroethylated aromatic compounds are of increasing importance in agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. The direct introduction of difluoroethyl (CF2CH3) group(s) onto aromatic rings using CH3CF2Cl, an inexpensive and available raw material, still remains a great challenge because of the relatively inert C-Cl bond of CH3CF2Cl. Herein, we disclose a nickel-catalyzed 1,1-difluoroethylation of (hetero)aryl halides with CH3CF2Cl. The reaction exhibits good functional-group tolerance and is regarded as a practical method for synthesis of (1,1-difluoroethyl)arenes.