Ni-Catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of N-acylpyrrole-type amides with organoboron reagents.

The catalytic conversion of amides to ketones is highly desirable yet challenging in organic synthesis. We herein report the first Ni/bis-NHC-catalyzed cross-coupling of N-acylpyrrole-type amides with arylboronic esters to obtain diarylketones. This method is facilitated by a new chelating bis-NHC ligand. The reaction tolerates diverse functional groups on both arylamide and arylboronic ester partners including sensitive ester and ketone groups.