A P-Ligand-Free Nickel-Catalyzed Variation of the Hirao Reaction Under Microwave Conditions

The Hirao reaction, an important tool for the establishment of a P-C bond, was developed further by finding that the reaction of >P(O)H species, such as dialkyl phosphites, alkyl phenyl-H-phosphinates and diarylphosphine oxides with bromoarenes may be carried out in the presence of P-ligand-free NiCl2 as the catalyst. The scope and limitations of this “greener” approach was studied in detail.