Reaction conditions have been developed
for refractory heteroaryl–heteroaryl
Suzuki–Miyaura cross-couplings. The reported method employs
neopentyl heteroarylboronic esters as nucleophiles, heteroaryl bromides
and chlorides as the electrophiles, and the soluble base potassium
trimethylsilanolate (TMSOK) under anhydrous conditions. The addition
of trimethyl borate enhances reaction rates by several mechanisms,
including (1) solubilization of in situ-generated
boronate complexes, (2) preventing catalyst poisoning by the heteroatomic
units, and (3) buffering the inhibitory effect of excess TMSOK. The
use of this method enables cross-coupling of diverse reaction partners
including a broad range of π-rich and π-deficient heteroaryl
boronic esters and heteroaryl bromides. Reactions proceed in good
yields and short reaction times (3 h or less).