Fast and Easy Halide Exchangein Aryl Halides

We report here the rapid halide exchange in aryl halides facilitated by microwave and conventional heating using nickel(II) halides as reagents. The methodology can be used for conversion of aryl chlorides to bromides, aryl iodides to bromides and chlorides and aryl bromides to chlorides. Reactions are fast (5 minutes reaction time for microwave heating and 4 hours for conventional heating) and can be performed without the need for exclusion of air and water.