Nickel(0)/imidazolium chloride catalyzed reduction of aryl halides

Dehalogenation of aryl halides was efficiently performed in refluxing THF using a catalytic combination composed of Ni(0)/N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)/beta-hydrogen-containing alkoxide. 1Mes.HCl (1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolium chloride) and Ni(acac)2 used respectively as carbene and Ni(0) precursors associated to in situ generated i-PrONa were found to be the most effective for the dehalogenation of functionalized aryl chlorides, bromides, iodides, and polyhalogenated hydrocarbons.