Catalytic C−C Bond Formation through Selective Activation of C−F Bonds

The activation of strong sp2 C−F bonds in catalytic C−C cross-coupling reactions with aryl Grignard reagents under mild conditions is possible: A nickel complex bearing an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand was identified as the most active catalyst for this reaction [Eq. (1)]. With the selective activation of aromatic C−F bonds over C−H bonds present, cross-coupling chemistry employing aryl halides has finally overcome its most challenging hurdle with regard to catalyst activity.