Abstract A nickel (II) complex (1) of N, N′-bis (2, 6-diisopropylphenyl)-2, 6- pyridinedicarboxamido (L) ligand was examined for catalytic coupling of Grignard reagents with the C–H bond of oxygen containing heterocyclic compounds such as tetrahydrofuran and furan. The nickel (II) complex showed excellent activity in catalyzing C–H activation and further coupling with various Grignard reagents. The effective activation of the C–H bond ...