2,2′-Bipyridine: An Efficient Ligand in the Cobalt-Catalyzed Synthesis of Organozinc Reagents from Aryl Chlorides and Sulfonates

The synthesis of functionalized arylzinc reagents from aromatic chlorides, triflates, or mesylates, via cobalt catalysis, is reported using 2,2′-bipyridine as a ligand in a mixture of acetonitrile and pyridine. This procedure allows the synthesis of a variety of functionalized arylzinc species in good to excellent yields. Some of these arylzinc compounds have been coupled with aromatic bromides under palladium catalysis.