Nickel-catalyzed C-O activation of phenol derivatives with potassium heteroaryltrifluoroborates.

A general method based on nickel-catalyzed C-O activation of various phenol derivatives with potassium (hetero)aryltrifluoroborates has been developed. A large number of heterobiaryls can be easily obtained with yields up to 99% using methanesulfonate cross-coupling partners.