Alkylations of Arylboronic Acids including Difluoroethylation/Trifluoroethylation via Nickel-Catalyzed Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction

An efficient alkylation method of functionalized alkyl halides under mild nickel-catalyzed C(sp(3))-C(sp(2)) Suzuki cross-coupling conditions is described. The features of this approach are excellent functional group compatibility, low cost nickel catalyst, and the use of a mild base. This is also the first successful example of the nickel-catalyzed direct 2,2-difluoroethylation or 2,2,2-trifluoroethylation of aryl-/heteroarylboronic acids.