Neopentylglycolborylation of aryl mesylates and tosylates catalyzed by Ni-based mixed-ligand systems activated with Zn.

The mixed-ligand system NiCl2(dppp)/dppf is shown to be an effective catalyst for the neopentylglycolborylation of ortho-, meta-, and para-substituted electron-rich and electron-deficient aryl mesylates and tosylates. The addition of Zn powder as a reductant dramatically increases the reaction yield and reduces the reaction time by more than an order of magnitude, providing complete conversion in 1−3 h.