Facile synthesis of symmetrical functionalized biaryls from aryl halides catalyzed by commercial zinc dust using ammonium formate

Reductive homocoupling of aryl halides in the presence of commercial zinc dust and ammonium formate in methanol produces biaryls in good to excellent yields. Aryl halides having either electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups underwent smooth coupling to afford the corresponding symmetrical biaryls. Addition of 1 equiv of sodium hydroxide enhanced the coupling reaction rate. Commercial zinc dust is inexpensive, widely available and can be used without any auxiliary catalysts such as Pd(0) and/or Ni(0).