Palladium-catalysed direct arylation of heteroaromatics with functionalised bromopyridines

The regioselective 5-arylation of a variety of heteroaromatics with functionalised pyridyl bromides using palladium catalyst gives a simple access to functionalised heteroarylated pyridines. The target products were obtained in moderate to good yields using only 1 mol % PdCl(C3H5)(dppb) as the catalyst. Substituents, such as fluoro, acetyl, nitrile, nitro, methoxy or amino on the pyridyl bromide are tolerated. However, the nature of the substituents has an important influence on the yields. Electron-withdrawing substituent favours the reaction; whereas electron-donating are unfavourable. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.