Cp(2)Ni-KOt-Bu-BEt(3) (or PPh(3)) catalyst system for direct C-H arylation of benzene, naphthalene, and pyridine.

Ni-catalyzed direct C-H arylation of benzene and naphthalene using aryl halides was investigated. For the first time, the arylation was successfully catalyzed by Cp(2)Ni (5 mol %) in the presence of KOt-Bu and BEt(3). This Ni catalyst system was also applied to direct C-H arylation of pyridine, an electron-deficient heteroarene; PPh(3) was used instead of BEt(3) in this case.