Sterically hindered N-heterocyclic carbene/palladium(ii) catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of nitrobenzenes

Palladium-catalyzed denitrative Suzuki coupling of nitroarenes using 2-aryl-5-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)-2,3-imidazolylidene[1,5-a]pyridines as the ligands is described. The key to success is the use of the NHC ligands which show strong donating ability and suitable steric hindrance allowing the successful oxidative addition of Ar-NO2 bonds. Both aromatic and aliphatic boronic acids are tolerated, and a variety of biphenyls and alkylarenes were obtained in good to excellent yields.