Palladium-Catalyzed Amidation and Amination of (Hetero)aryl Chlorides under Homogeneous Conditions Enabled by a Soluble DBU/NaTFA Dual-Base System

Cross-Coupling Reactions with Nickel, Visible Light, and tert-Butylamine as a Bifunctional Additive

Transition metal catalysis is crucial for the synthesis of complex molecules, with ligands and bases playing a pivotal role in optimizing cross-coupling reactions. Despite advancements in ligand design and base selection, achieving effective synergy between these components remains challenging. We present here a general approach to nickel-catalyzed photoredox reactions employing tert-butylamine as a cost-effective bifunctional additive, acting as the base and ligand. This method proves effective for C-O and C-N bond-forming reactions with a diverse array of nucleophiles, including phenols, aliphatic alcohols, anilines, sulfonamides, sulfoximines, and imines. Notably, the protocol demonstrates significant applicability in biomolecule derivatization and facilitates sequential one-pot functionalizations. Spectroscopic investigations revealed the robustness of the dynamic catalytic system, while elucidation of structure-reactivity relationships demonstrated how computed molecular properties of both the nucleophile and electrophile correlated to reaction performance, providing a foundation for effective reaction outcome prediction.

Expedited Aminoglutarimide C-N Cross-Coupling Enabled by High-Throughput Experimentation

A simple protocol for the Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling of (hetero)aryl halides with unprotected aminoglutarimide to afford diverse cereblon binding motifs is disclosed. The development of this C-N cross-coupling method was enabled by high-throughput combinatory screening of solvents, bases, temperatures, and ligands. Scope studies revealed generality across various heteroaryl and aryl halides with the reaction proceeding under mild conditions. In comparison, this method demonstrated strategic superiority over previously reported approaches, as evidenced by a significant decrease in step count from known syntheses in the patent literature.

Kinetic Modeling Enables Understanding of Off-Cycle Processes in Pd-Catalyzed Amination of Five-Membered Heteroaryl Halides

The mechanism of Pd-catalyzed amination of five-membered heteroaryl halides was investigated by integrating experimental kinetic analysis with kinetic modeling through predictive testing and likelihood ratio analysis, revealing an atypical productive coupling pathway and multiple off-cycle events. The GPhos-supported Pd catalyst, along with the moderate-strength base NaOTMS, was previously found to promote efficient coupling between five-membered heteroaryl halides and secondary amines. However, slight deviations from the optimal concentration, temperature, and/or solvent resulted in significantly lower yields, contrary to typical reaction optimization trends. We found that the coupling of 4-bromothiazole with piperidine proceeds through an uncommon mechanism in which the NaOTMS base, rather than the amine, binds first to the oxidative addition complex; the resulting OTMS-bound Pd species is the resting state. Formation of the Pd-amido complex via base/amine exchange was identified as the turnover-limiting step, unlike other reported catalyst systems for which reductive elimination is turnover-limiting. We determined that the amine-bound Pd complex, usually an on-cycle intermediate, is instead a reversibly generated off-cycle species, and that base-mediated decomposition of 4-bromothiazole is the primary irreversible catalyst deactivation pathway. Predictive testing and kinetic modeling were key to the identification of these off-cycle processes, providing insight into minor mechanistic pathways that are difficult to observe experimentally. Collectively, this report reveals the unique enabling features of the Pd-GPhos/NaOTMS system, implementing mechanistic insights to improve the yields of particularly challenging coupling reactions. Moreover, these findings highlight the utility of applying predictive tests to kinetic models for the rapid evaluation of mechanistic possibilities in small-molecule catalytic systems.

Homogenous Palladium-Catalyzed Dehalogenative Deuteration and Tritiation of Aryl Halides with D2/T2 Gas

Hydrogen isotopically labeled compounds have extensive utility across diverse domains, especially in drug discovery and development. However, synthesis of the labeled compounds with exclusive site selectivity and/or high isotope incorporation is challenging. One widely employed method is heterogeneous palladium(0)-catalyzed (such as Pd/C) dehalogenative deuteration and tritiation with D2/T2 gas. While commonly used, the method faces two long-standing challenges related to insufficient isotope incorporation and functional group tolerance, particularly with aryl bromides and chlorides. These long-standing issues pose a substantial obstacle in the synthesis of deuterated drug molecules and high-specific-activity tritium tracers. Herein, we present a novel palladium catalytic system using Zn(OAc)2 as an additive, enabling novel homogenous dehalogenative deuteration/tritiation using D2/T2 gas. Under mild reaction conditions, a wide range of drug-like aryl halides and pseudohalides undergo selective deuteration with complete isotope incorporation. The reaction displays excellent compatibility with diverse functional groups, including multiple bonds and O/N-benzyl, and cyano groups, which are frequently problematic in the Pd/C reactions. Furthermore, this method was successfully applied to the tritiation of four halogenated pharmaceutically relevant molecules, resulting in predictable high specific activity per halogen atom (26.5-27.7 Ci/mmol). Notably, the developed system allows gram-scale preparation of a deuterium-containing intermediate, a crucial step in synthesizing a deuterium-labeled drug molecule. A key intermediate, Pd(Ar)OAc, is proposed to activate hydrogen gas during dehalogenative deuteration and tritiation, and Zn(OAc)2 plays an essential role in inhibiting Pd poisoning by halides.

A Computer Vision Approach toward Verifying CFD Models of Stirred Tank Reactors

Mixing is one of the most important nonchemical considerations in the design of scalable processes. While noninvasive imaging approaches to deliver a quantifiable understanding of mixing dynamics are well-known, the use of imaging to verify computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models remains in its infancy. Herein, we use colorimetric reactions and our kinetic imaging software, Kineticolor, to explore (i) the correlation of imaging kinetics with pH probe measurements, (ii) feed point sensitivity for Villermaux-Dushman-type competing parallel reactions, and (iii) the use of experimental imaging kinetic data to qualitatively assess CFD models. We report further evidence that the influences of the stirring rate, baffle presence, and feed position on mixing in a tank reactor can be informatively captured with a camcorder and help experimentally verify CFD models. Overall, this work advances scarce little precedent in demonstrating the use of computer vision to verify CFD models of fluid flow in tank reactors.

Homogeneous Organic Reductant Based on 4,4'-tBu2-2,2'-Bipyridine for Cross-Electrophile Coupling

The synthesis of a new homogeneous reductant based on 4,4'-tBu2-2,2'-bipyridine, tBu-OED4, is reported. tBu-OED4 was prepared on a multigram scale in two steps from inexpensive and commercially available starting materials, with no chromatography required for purification. tBu-OED4 has a reduction potential of -1.33 V (vs Ferrocenium/Ferrocene) and is soluble in a range of common organic solvents. We demonstrate that tBu-OED4 can facilitate Ni/Co dual-catalyzed C(sp2)-C(sp3) cross-electrophile coupling reactions and is highly functional group tolerant. tBu-OED4 is expected to be a valuable addition to the set of homogeneous reductants available for organic transformations.

A strategy for the controllable generation of organic superbases from benchtop-stable salts

Organic superbases are a distinct class of strong base that enable numerous modern reaction applications. Despite their great synthetic potential, widespread use and study of superbases are limited by their air sensitivity and difficult preparation. To address this, we report air-stable carboxylate salts of BTPP and P2-t-Bu phosphazene superbases that, when added to solution with an epoxide, spontaneously generate freebase. These systems function as effective precatalysts and stoichiometric prereagents for superbase-promoted addition, substitution and polymerization reactions. In addition to improving the synthesis, shelf stability, handling and recycling of phosphazenes, this approach enables precise regulation of the rate of base generation in situ. The activation strategy effectively mimics manual slow addition techniques, allowing for control over a reaction's rate or induction period and improvement of reactions that require strong base but are also sensitive to its presence, such as Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions.

The development of cage phosphine 'DalPhos' ligands to enable nickel-catalyzed cross-couplings of (hetero)aryl electrophiles

Nickel-catalyzed cross-couplings of (hetero)aryl electrophiles with a diversity of nucleophiles (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, and others) have evolved into competitive alternatives to well-established palladium- and copper-based protocols for the synthesis of (hetero)aryl products, including (hetero)anilines and (hetero)aryl ethers. A survey of the literature reveals that the use of cage phosphine (CgP) 'DalPhos' (DALhousie PHOSphine) bisphosphine-type ligands operating under thermal conditions currently offers the most broad substrate scope in nickel-catalyzed cross-couplings of this type, especially involving (hetero)aryl chlorides and phenol-derived electrophiles. The development and application of these DalPhos ligands is described in a ligand-specific manner that is intended to serve as a guide for the synthetic chemistry end-user.

Bridging the information gap in organic chemical reactions

The varying quality of scientific reports is a well-recognized problem and often results from a lack of standardization and transparency in scientific publications. This situation ultimately leads to prominent complications such as reproducibility issues and the slow uptake of newly developed synthetic methods for pharmaceutical and agrochemical applications. In recent years, various impactful approaches have been advocated to bridge information gaps and to improve the quality of experimental protocols in synthetic organic publications. Here we provide a critical overview of these strategies and present the reader with a versatile set of tools to augment their standard procedures. We formulate eight principles to improve data management in scientific publications relating to data standardization, reproducibility and evaluation, and encourage scientists to go beyond current publication standards. We are aware that this is a substantial effort, but we are convinced that the resulting improved data situation will greatly benefit the progress of chemistry.

Thermal Nickel-Catalyzed N-Arylation of NH-Sulfoximines with (Hetero)aryl Chlorides Enabled by PhPAd-DalPhos Ligation

We report a versatile method for cross-coupling of NH-sulfoximines with (hetero)aryl chlorides, as well as bromide and sulfonate electrophiles, that makes use of the air-stable, commercial precatalyst (PhPAd-DalPhos)Ni(o-tol)Cl. Under optimized conditions a diverse electrophile scope is established, including the N-arylation of the pharmaceutical Clozapine. While 5 mol % Ni and 80 °C are commonly employed in this chemistry, successful examples utilizing 1 mol % Ni and/or 25 °C are presented. Competition experiments establish the superiority of NH-sulfoximine over primary sulfonamide as nucleophiles under these conditions.

DalPhos/Nickel-Catalyzed C2-H Arylation of 1,3-Azoles Using a Dual-Base System

We report a versatile method for C2 functionalization of (benz)oxazoles and (benzo)thiazoles employing a tert-butylimino-tri(pyrrolidino)phosphorane/sodium trifluoroacetate (BTPP/NaTFA) "dual-base" system in combination with an air-stable Ni(II) precatalyst containing either CyPAd-DalPhos or PhPAd-DalPhos. These catalyst systems enable access to a reaction scope that encompasses a range of challenging oxidative addition partners, including (hetero)aryl chlorides as well as pivalates, tosylates, and other related phenol derivatives. The utility of this method is demonstrated through the derivatization of an active pharmaceutical ingredient and 5 mmol synthesis of a thiazole derivative.

B2,N4-Doped Heptacenes: Ambipolar Charge-Transfer Compounds with Deep LUMO Levels

The B2,N4-doped heptacene H4 in which two N,N'-dihydrophenazine units are linked by two BMes bridges (Mes = mesityl) was synthesized via fourfold Buchwald-Hartwig coupling between 2,3,6,7-tetrachloro-9,10-dimesityl-9,10-dihydro-9,10-diboraanthracene and o-phenylenediamine (tBuXPhos-Pd-G3, DBU/NaOTf, 2-MeTHF, 50 °C, 16 h). Upon exposure to ambient air, H4 is oxidized to its N,N'-dihydro form H2; further oxidation with MnO2 furnishes the di(phenazine) derivative H0. Stirring under a blanket of H2 in the presence of Pd/C hydrogenates H0 back to H2 and ultimately H4. Yellow-colored H0 is a remarkably good electron acceptor with a LUMO-energy level of -3.9 eV; upon irradiation with a 405 nm LED in the presence of THF or 1,4-cyclohexadiene, H0 accepts two H atoms to furnish H2. One-electron reduction of H0 yields the isolable radical-anion salt Li[H0] (lithium naphthalenide, THF, -30 °C to rt). The ambipolar compounds H2 and H4 possess a navy blue and deep purple color, respectively, due to charge-transfer interactions from the electron-rich N,N'-dihydrophenazine donor(s) to the electron-accepting B2C4 core.

A machine-learning tool to predict substrate-adaptive conditions for Pd-catalyzed C-N couplings

Machine-learning methods have great potential to accelerate the identification of reaction conditions for chemical transformations. A tool that gives substrate-adaptive conditions for palladium (Pd)-catalyzed carbon-nitrogen (C-N) couplings is presented. The design and construction of this tool required the generation of an experimental dataset that explores a diverse network of reactant pairings across a set of reaction conditions. A large scope of C-N couplings was actively learned by neural network models by using a systematic process to design experiments. The models showed good performance in experimental validation: Ten products were isolated in more than 85% yield from a range of couplings with out-of-sample reactants designed to challenge the models. Importantly, the developed workflow continually improves the prediction capability of the tool as the corpus of data grows.

Second-Generation Atroposelective Synthesis of KRAS G12C Covalent Inhibitor GDC-6036

A chromatography-free asymmetric synthesis of GDC-6036 (1) was achieved via a highly atroposelective Negishi coupling of aminopyridine 5 and quinazoline 6b catalyzed by 0.5 mol % [Pd(cin)Cl]₂ and 1 mol % (R,R)-Chiraphite to afford the key intermediate (R_a)-3. An alkoxylation of (R_a)-3 with (S)-N-methylprolinol (4) and a global deprotection generates the penultimate heterobiaryl intermediate 2. A controlled acrylamide installation by stepwise acylation/sulfone elimination and final adipate salt formation and crystallization delivered high-purity GDC-6036 (1).

Comparative Screening of DalPhos/Ni Catalysts in C-N Cross-couplings of (Hetero)aryl Chlorides Enables Development of Aminopyrazole Cross-couplings with Amine Base

A systematic competitive evaluation of the DalPhos ligand family in nickel-catalyzed N-arylation chemistry is reported, involving primary (linear and branched) and secondary alkylamines, as well as a primary five-membered heteroarylamine (aminopyrazole), in combination with a diverse set of test electrophiles and bases (NaOtBu, K₂ CO₃ , DBU/NaTFA). In addition to providing optimal ligand/catalyst identification, and bringing to light methodology limitations (e. g., unwanted C-O cross-coupling with NaOtBu), our survey enabled the development of the first efficient catalyst system for heteroatom-dense C-N cross-coupling of aminopyrazoles and related nucleophiles with (hetero)aryl chlorides by use of an amine 'dual-base' system.

Homogeneous Organic Electron Donors in Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Transformations

Many contemporary organic transformations, such as Ni-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling (XEC), require a reductant. Typically, heterogeneous reductants, such as Zn0 or Mn0, are used as the electron source in these reactions. Although heterogeneous reductants are highly practical for preparative-scale batch reactions, they can lead to complications in performing reactions on process scale and are not easily compatible with modern applications, such as flow chemistry. In principle, homogeneous organic reductants can address some of the challenges associated with heterogeneous reductants and also provide greater control of the reductant strength, which can lead to new reactivity. Nevertheless, homogeneous organic reductants have rarely been used in XEC. In this Perspective, we summarize recent progress in the use of homogeneous organic electron donors in Ni-catalyzed XEC and related reactions, discuss potential synthetic and mechanistic benefits, describe the limitations that inhibit their implementation, and outline challenges that need to be solved in order for homogeneous organic reductants to be widely utilized in synthetic chemistry. Although our focus is on XEC, our discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of different methods for introducing electrons is general to other reductive transformations.

Mapping Dual-Base-Enabled Nickel-Catalyzed Aryl Amidations: Application in the Synthesis of 4-Quinolones

The C-N cross-coupling of (hetero)aryl (pseudo)halides with NH substrates employing nickel catalysts and organic amine bases represents an emergent strategy for the sustainable synthesis of (hetero)anilines. However, unlike protocols that rely on photoredox/electrochemical/reductant methods within Ni^I/III cycles, the reaction steps that comprise a putative Ni^0/II C-N cross-coupling cycle for a thermally promoted catalyst system using organic amine base have not been elucidated. Here we disclose an efficient new nickel-catalyzed protocol for the C-N cross-coupling of amides and 2'-(pseudo)halide-substituted acetophenones, for the first time where the (pseudo)halide is chloride or sulfonate, which makes use of the commercial bisphosphine ligand PAd2-DalPhos (L4) in combination with an organic amine base/halide scavenger, leading to 4-quinolones. Room-temperature stoichiometric experiments involving isolated Ni^{0, I, and II} species support a Ni^0/II pathway, where the combined action of DBU/NaTFA allows for room-temperature amide cross-couplings.

Potassium Trimethylsilanolate-Promoted, Anhydrous Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reaction Proceeds via the "Boronate Mechanism": Evidence for the Alternative Fork in the Trail

Previous studies have shown that the critical transmetalation step in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling proceeds through a mechanism wherein an arylpalladium hydroxide complex reacts with an aryl boronic acid, termed the oxo-palladium pathway. Moreover, these same studies have established that the reaction between an aryl boronate and an arylpalladium halide complex (the boronate pathway) is prohibitively slow. Herein, studies on isolated intermediates, along with kinetic analysis, have demonstrated that the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction promoted by potassium trimethylsilanolate (TMSOK) proceeds through the boronate pathway, in contrast with other, established systems. Furthermore, an unprecedented, binuclear palladium(I) complex containing a μ-phenyl bridging ligand was characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and computational methods. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the binuclear complex exhibits an open-shell ground electronic state, and reaction kinetics implicate the complex in the catalytic cycle. These results expand the breadth of potential mechanisms by which the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction can occur, and the novel binuclear palladium complex discovered has broad implications for palladium-mediated cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides.

Tunable and Practical Homogeneous Organic Reductants for Cross-Electrophile Coupling

The syntheses of four new tunable homogeneous organic reductants based on a tetraaminoethylene scaffold are reported. The new reductants have enhanced air stability compared to current homogeneous reductants for metal-mediated reductive transformations, such as cross-electrophile coupling (XEC), and are solids at room temperature. In particular, the weakest reductant is indefinitely stable in air and has a reduction potential of -0.85 V versus ferrocene, which is significantly milder than conventional reductants used in XEC. All of the new reductants can facilitate C(sp²)-C(sp³) Ni-catalyzed XEC reactions and are compatible with complex substrates that are relevant to medicinal chemistry. The reductants span a range of nearly 0.5 V in reduction potential, which allows for control over the rate of electron transfer events in XEC. Specifically, we report a new strategy for controlled alkyl radical generation in Ni-catalyzed C(sp²)-C(sp³) XEC. The key to our approach is to tune the rate of alkyl radical generation from Katritzky salts, which liberate alkyl radicals upon single electron reduction, by varying the redox potentials of the reductant and Katritzky salt utilized in catalysis. Using our method, we perform XEC reactions between benzylic Katritzky salts and aryl halides. The method tolerates a variety of functional groups, some of which are particularly challenging for most XEC transformations. Overall, we expect that our new reductants will both replace conventional homogeneous reductants in current reductive transformations due to their stability and relatively facile synthesis and lead to the development of novel synthetic methods due to their tunability.

Nickel-Catalyzed N-Arylation of Fluoroalkylamines

The Ni-catalyzed N-arylation of β-fluoroalkylamines with broad scope is reported for the first time. Use of the air-stable pre-catalyst (PAd2-DalPhos)Ni(o-tol)Cl allows for reactions to be conducted at room temperature (25 °C, NaOtBu), or by use of a commercially available dual-base system (100 °C, DBU/NaOTf), to circumvent decomposition of the N-(β-fluoroalkyl)aniline product. The mild protocols disclosed herein feature broad (hetero)aryl (pseudo)halide scope (X=Cl, Br, I, and for the first time phenol-derived electrophiles), encompassing base-sensitive substrates and enantioretentive transformations, in a manner that is unmatched by any previously reported catalyst system.

Nickel-Catalyzed N-Arylation of Amides with (Hetero)aryl Electrophiles by Using a DBU/NaTFA Dual-Base System

The first nickel-catalyzed N-arylation of amides with (hetero)aryl (pseudo)halides employing an organic amine base is described. By using a bis(cyclooctadienyl)nickel/8-[2-(dicyclohexylphosphinyl)phenyl]-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-2,4,6-trioxa-8-phosphaadamantane catalyst mixture in combination with DBU/NaTFA as a dual-base system, a diversity of (hetero)aryl chloride, bromide, tosylate, and mesylate electrophiles were successfully cross-coupled with structurally diverse primary amides, as well as a selection of secondary amide, lac­tam, and oxazolidone nucleophiles.

Aryl Amination Using Soluble Weak Base Enabled by a Water-Assisted Mechanism

The amination of aryl halides has become one of the most commonly practiced C-N bond-forming reactions in pharmaceutical and laboratory syntheses. The widespread use of strong or poorly soluble inorganic bases for amine activation nevertheless complicates the compatibility of this important reaction class with sensitive substrates as well as applications in flow and automated synthesis, to name a few. We report a palladium-catalyzed C-N coupling using Et₃N as a weak, soluble base, which allows a broad substrate scope that includes bromo- and chloro(hetero)arenes, primary anilines, secondary amines, and amide type nucleophiles together with tolerance for a range of base-sensitive functional groups. Mechanistic data have established a unique pathway for these reactions in which water serves multiple beneficial roles. In particular, ionization of a neutral catalytic intermediate via halide displacement by H₂O generates, after proton loss, a coordinatively unsaturated Pd-OH species that can bind amine substrate triggering intramolecular N-H heterolysis. This water-assisted pathway operates efficiently with even weak terminal bases, such as Et₃N. The use of a simple, commercially available ligand, PAd₃, is key to this water-assisted mechanism by promoting coordinative unsaturation in catalytic intermediates responsible for the heterolytic activation of strong element-hydrogen bonds, which enables broad compatibility of carbon-heteroatom cross-coupling reactions with sensitive substrates and functionality.

Palladium Complexes Based on Ylide-Functionalized Phosphines (YPhos): Broadly Applicable High-Performance Precatalysts for the Amination of Aryl Halides at Room Temperature

Palladium allyl, cinnamyl, and indenyl complexes with the ylide-substituted phosphines Cy3 P+ -C- (R)PCy2 (with R=Me (L1) or Ph (L2)) and Cy3 P+ -C- (Me)PtBu2 (L3) were prepared and applied as defined precatalysts in C-N coupling reactions. The complexes are highly active in the amination of 4-chlorotoluene with a series of different amines. Higher yields were observed with the precatalysts in comparison to the in situ generated catalysts. Changes in the ligand structures allowed for improved selectivities by shutting down β-hydride elimination or diarylation reactions. Particularly, the complexes based on L2 (joYPhos) revealed to be universal precatalysts for various amines and aryl halides. Full conversions to the desired products are reached mostly within 1 h reaction time at room temperature, thus making L2 to one of the most efficient ligands in C-N coupling reactions. The applicability of the catalysts was demonstrated for aryl chlorides, bromides and iodides together with primary and secondary aryl and alkyl amines, including gram-scale applications also with low catalyst loadings of down to 0.05 mol %. Kinetic studies further demonstrated the outstanding activity of the precatalysts with TOF over 10.000 h-1 .

Nickel-Catalyzed Decarbonylative Amination of Carboxylic Acid Esters

The reaction of carboxylic acid derivatives with amines to form amide bonds has been the most widely used transformation in organic synthesis over the past century. Its utility is driven by the broad availability of the starting materials as well as the kinetic and thermodynamic driving force for amide bond formation. As such, the invention of new reactions between carboxylic acid derivatives and amines that strategically deviate from amide bond formation remains both a challenge and an opportunity for synthetic chemists. This report describes the development of a nickel-catalyzed decarbonylative reaction that couples (hetero)aromatic esters with a broad scope of amines to form (hetero)aryl amine products. The successful realization of this transformation was predicated on strategic design of the cross-coupling partners (phenol esters and silyl amines) to preclude conventional reactivity that forms inert amide byproducts.

The Quest for the Ideal Base: Rational Design of a Nickel Precatalyst Enables Mild, Homogeneous C-N Cross-Coupling

Palladium-catalyzed amination reactions using soluble organic bases have provided a solution to the many issues associated with heterogeneous reaction conditions. Still, homogeneous C-N cross-coupling approaches cannot yet employ bases as weak and economical as trialkylamines. Furthermore, organic base-mediated methods have not been developed for Ni(0/II) catalysis, despite some advantages of such systems over those employing Pd-based catalysts. We designed a new air-stable and easily prepared Ni(II) precatalyst bearing an electron-deficient bidentate phosphine ligand that enables the cross-coupling of aryl triflates with aryl amines using triethylamine (TEA) as base. The method is tolerant of sterically congested coupling partners, as well as those bearing base- and nucleophile-sensitive functional groups. With the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we determined that the electron-deficient auxiliary ligands decrease both the pK_a of the Ni-bound amine and the barrier to reductive elimination from the resultant Ni(II)-amido complex. Moreover, we determined that the preclusion of Lewis acid-base complexation between the Ni catalyst and the base, due to steric factors, is important for avoiding catalyst inhibition.