Synthesis of heteroaryl compounds through cross-coupling reaction of aryl bromides or benzyl halides with thienyl and pyridyl aluminum reagents.

An efficient method for synthesis of useful biaryl building blocks containing 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-pyridyl, and 3-pyridyl moieties was provided through cross-coupling reactions of aryl bromides or benzyl halides with heteroaryl aluminum reagents in the presence of Pd(OAc)2 and (o-tolyl)3P. The coupling reaction also worked efficiently with heteroaryl bromides affording series of heterobiaryl compounds. The reaction of phenylbromide with in situ prepared 3-pyridyl aluminum was demonstrated to afford the product 8a in high yield. Additionally, the catalytic system was also suited well for the coupling reaction of benzyl halides with pyridyl aluminum reagents to afford series of pyridyl-arylmethane.