Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of chromene acetals and boronic acids

A modular and highly efficient protocol for the synthesis of 2-aryl- and heteroaryl-2H-chromenes is described. Under base-free conditions, readily accessible 2-ethoxy-2H-chromenes undergo C _sp3-O activation and C _sp3-C bond formation in the presence of an inexpensive nickel catalyst and boronic acids. This new strategy enables broad access to 2-substituted-2H-chromenes and has been applied to the late-stage incorporation of complex molecules, including the pharmaceuticals loratidine and indomethacin methyl ester.