Nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling of unactivated (hetero)aryl sulfone with aryl bromide

A nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling of unactivated (hetero)aryl sulfones with aryl bromides via C–S bond activation at ambient temperature is developed. By relying on the use of nickel as catalyst, 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) as ligand, magnesium turnings as mediator, and THF as solvent, a myriad of biaryls could be facilely prepared in moderate to good yields with reasonable functionality compatibility. The present method potentially serves as an attractive alternative to conventional methods, for the use of unreadily available, relatively expensive, and sensitive organometallic reagents could be avoided.