Ni-catalyzed activation of α-chloroesters: a simple method for the synthesis of α-arylesters and β-hydroxyesters

Coupling reactions of α-chloroesters with aryl halides (α-arylation) or carbonyl compounds (Reformatsky) using nickel catalyst allow, under mild conditions, the preparation of various functionalized aryl propionic acid derivatives or β-hydroxyesters. In the synthesis of aryl propionic acid derivatives, the process is efficient with aryl halides bearing either electron-withdrawing or electron-donating groups.