A variety of thiomethyl-substituted N-heterocycles such as pyridines, isoquinolines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, quinazolines, triazines, benzothiazoles, or benzoxazoles undergo smooth Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with functionalized aryl-, heteroaryl-, alkyl-, and benzylic zinc reagents using an inexpensive Ni (acac) 2/DPE- Phos catalytic system at 25° C.