Cross-coupling between substrates that can be easily derived from phenols is highly attractive due to the abundance and low cost of phenols. Here, we report a dual nickel/palladium-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling between aryl tosylates and aryl triflates; both substrates can be accessed in just one step from readily available phenols. The reaction has a broad functional group tolerance and substrate scope (>60 examples). Furthermore, it displays low sensitivity to steric effects demonstrated by the synthesis of a 2,2’disubstituted biaryl and a fully substituted aryl product. The widespread presence of phenols in natural products and pharmaceuticals allow for straightforward late-stage functionalization, illustrated with examples such as Ezetimibe and tyrosine. NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations indicate that the nickel catalyst is responsible for activating the aryl triflate, while the palladium catalyst preferentially reacts with the aryl tosylate.
Palladium-catalyzed direct arylation and cyclization of o-iodobiaryls to a library of tetraphenylenes