2,2′-bipyridine:: An efficient ligand in the cobalt-catalyzed synthesis of organozinc reagents from aryl chlorides and sulfonates

The synthesis of functionalized arylzinc reagents from aromatic chlorides, triflates, or mesylates, via cobalt catalysis, is reported using 2,2'-bipyridine as a ligand in a mixture of acetonitrile and pyridine. This procedure allows the synthesis of a variety of functionalized arylzinc species in good to excellent yields. Some of these arylzinc compounds have been coupled with aromatic bromides under palladium catalysis.