Arylation of diarylamines catalyzed by Ni(II)-PPh3 system.

[reaction: see text]. The cross-coupling of bromomagnesium diarylamides, generated in situ from diarylamines, with aryl bromides or iodides can be effected with a simple NiCl2(PPh3)2-PPh3 catalyst system under relatively mild conditions. This coupling reaction is an inexpensive, convenient, and practical method, functioning as an alternative to the corresponding Pd-catalyzed or Cu-mediated process for the synthesis of triarylamines.