Synthesis of functionalized 2-arylpyridines from 2-halopyridines and various aryl halides via a nickel catalysis

An efficient nickel-catalyzed method devoted to the direct formation of functionalized 2-arylpyridines is described avoiding the prior preparation of organometallic species. Various functionalized 2-arylpyridines are obtained in moderate to excellent yields by a one-step chemical procedure from corresponding halides. The NiBr₂(2,2′-bipyridine) complex appears to be an extremely suitable catalyst for the activation in the presence of manganese dust of aromatic halides and pyridyl halides functionalized by reactive groups. The versatility of this original process represents a simple alternative to most known methods using organometallic reagents.