The first nickel-catalyzed phosphinylation of C–S bonds forming C–P bonds is developed. The reaction can proceed readily with the simple Ni(cod)2 at a loading down to 0.1 mol% at the 10 mmol scale. Various aryl sulfur compounds,
Nickel-catalysed P–H/C–CN cross coupling reactions take place efficiently under mild reaction conditions affording the corresponding sp2C–P bonds. This transformation provides a convenient method for the preparation of both arylphosphines and arylphosphine oxides from the readily available P–H compounds and arylnitriles.