Jerome Canivet, Junichiro Yamaguchi, Ikuya Ban, and Kenichiro Itami
Org. Lett. 2009, 11, 1733

DOI: 10.1021/ol9001587

Ni-based catalytic systems for the arylation of heteroarenes with aryl halides and triflates have been established. Ni(OAc)₂/bipy is a general catalyst for aryl bromides/iodides, and Ni(OAc)₂/dppf is effective for aryl chlorides/triflates. Thiazole, benzothiazole, oxazole, benzoxazole, and benzimidazole are applicable as heteroarene coupling partners. A rapid synthesis of febuxostat, a drug for gout and hyperuricemia, is also demonstrated.