Synthesis of functionalised fluorinated pyridine derivatives by site-selective Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of halogenated pyridines

The Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of 2,6-dichloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine with 1 equiv of arylboronic acids resulted in site-selective formation of 2-aryl-6-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine. Due to electronic reasons, the reaction takes place at the sterically more hindered position. The selectivity was rationalised by DFT calculations. The one-pot reaction with two different arylboronic acids afforded 2,6-diaryl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine containing two different aryl substituents. The reactions proceeded smoothly in the absence of phosphine ligands. In addition, Suzuki-Miyaura reactions of 2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine with one or two equivalents of arylboronic acids were carried out.