Ni‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Fluoroarenes via [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Involving α‐Fluorine Elimination

Abstract

A method for direct synthesis of tetrasubstituted fluoroarenes via nickel-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition is presented. The reaction combines one molecule of 1,1-difluoroethylene with two molecules of alkynes and involves sequential cleavage of the C-F and C-H bonds in difluoroethylene. The catalytic cycle is established by reduction of the intermediary Ni(II) fluoride with a triethylborane-based borate.