Diarylmethanols Synthesis by Nickel(II)-catalyzed Addition of Arylboronic Acids to Aryl Aldehydes

A practical procedure for the addition of arylboronic acids to aromatic aldehydes has been developed in the presence of NiCl2(PPh3)2/1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolium chloride (IPr·HCl) system with good yield. Generally, electron-rich and -neutral aryl aldehydes showed excellent reactivity and provided desired products in high yields. This procedure will provide new way to the synthesis of diarylmethanols.