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.