Phosphine-free NiBr2-catalyzed synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl ketones via carbonylative cross-coupling of aryl iodides with Ph3SnX (X = Cl, OEt)

•Ph3SnX (X: Cl, OEt) used for the carbonylative Stille reaction.•NiBr2 as the catalyst and phosphine-free condition were applied.•Cr(CO)6 employed as the solid source of CO.

The convenient nickel-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of aryl iodides with Ph3SnCl or Ph3SnOEt for synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl ketones under phosphine-free condition is reported. The reaction occurs efficiently in the presence of Cr(CO)6 as an easy handling solid source of carbon monoxide at atmospheric pressure and 100 °C in DMF under air to deliver the desired ketones in high yield.

Graphical abstractThe convenient nickel-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of aryl iodides with organostannanes for synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl ketones under phosphine-free condition is reported. The reaction occurs efficiently applying Cr(CO)6 as an easy handling solid source of carbon monoxide at atmospheric pressure in DMF to deliver the desired ketones in high yield.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide