Microwave-assisted nickel(II) acetylacetonate-catalyzed arylation of aldehydes with arylboronic acids

Applying sealed vessel microwave heating at 180 °C in toluene the arylation of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with arylboronic acids using 1–2 mol % of Ni(acac)2 as a catalyst can be performed efficiently within 10–30 min providing the desired diarylmethanols or benzyl alcohols in good yields.