Nickel and Copper Catalyzed ipso‐Phosphonodifluoromethylation of Arylboronic Acids with BrCF(2)P(O)(OEt)(2) for the Synthesis of Phosphonodifluoromethylarenes

A convenient method for the direct ipso‐phosphonodifluoromethylation of arylboronic acids via nickel‐copper co‐catalysis is disclosed. This work, which utilizes inexpensive first row transition metals, represents a facile alternative to the traditional palladium catalyzed approach. The method utilizes inexpensive commodity chemicals and substrates while tolerating a variety of biologically relevant functional groups. Structurally diverse phosphonodifluoromethylarenes are furnished in good yields under short reaction times. Control experiments to probe possible reaction pathways are also included.