Sulfonate Versus Sulfonate: Nickel and Palladium Multimetallic Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Aryl Triflates with Aryl Tosylates

While phenols are frequent and convenient aryl sources in cross-coupling, typically as sulfonate esters, the direct cross-Ullmann coupling of two different sulfonate esters is unknown. We report here a general solution to this challenge catalyzed by a combination of Ni and Pd with Zn reductant and LiBr as an additive. The reaction has broad scope, as demonstrated in 33 examples (65% ± 11% average yield). Mechanistic studies show that Pd strongly prefers the aryl triflate, the Ni catalyst has a small preference for the aryl tosylate, aryl transfer between catalysts is mediated by Zn, and Pd improves yields by consuming arylzinc intermediates.