Nickel Meets Aryl Thianthrenium Salts: Ni(I)-Catalyzed Halogenation of Arenes

Herein, a regioselective, late-stage two-step arene halogenation method is reported. We propose how unusual Ni(I)/ (III) catalysis is enabled by a combination of aryl thianthrenium and Ni redox properties that is hitherto unachieved with other (pseudo)halides. The catalyst is accessed in situ from inexpensive NiCl2 center dot 6(H2O) and zinc without the need of supporting ligands.

Automated summary

Here, a regioselective, late-stage two-step arene halogenation method is introduced. The unusual Ni(I)/(III) catalysis is achieved through the combination of aryl thianthrenium and Ni redox properties, which has not been achieved with other (pseudo)halides. The catalyst is generated in situ from inexpensive NiCl2 center dot 6(H2O) and zinc without the need for supporting ligands.