Arylzinc Halides by Silver Catalyzed Zinc Insertion to Aryl Iodides

A catalytic amount of silver acetate efficiently promotes direct insertion of zinc metal into aryl iodides, having different structure, in ethereal solvent. Electron‐rich substrates also rapidly undergo oxidative metalation. The arylzinc iodides formed give Negishi coupling products under mild reaction conditions to give biaryls in high yields. Sensitive functional groups like aldehydes and primary amides are well‐tolerated.