Cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides with aryl Grignard reagents and their application to sequential radical cyclization/cross-coupling reactions

Reactions of alkyl halides with arylmagnesium bromides in the presence of cobalt(II)(diphosphine) complexes are discussed. Treatment of 1-bromooctane with phenylmagnesium bromide with the aid of a catalytic amount of CoCl₂(dppp) [DPPP=1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane] yielded octylbenzene in good yield. The reaction mechanism would include single electron transfer from an electron-rich cobalt complex to alkyl halide to generate the corresponding alkyl radical. The mechanism was justified by CoCl₂(dppe)-catalyzed [DPPE=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] sequential radical cyclization/cross-coupling reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives that yielded benzyl-substituted cyclopentane skeletons.     

Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of functionalized alkyl halides and tosylates with secondary and tertiary alkyl grignard reagents

Added value: A copper-based method is highly efficient for the cross-coupling of alkyl electrophiles with secondary and tertiary alkyl Grignard reagents. The method is distinguished by its broad substrate scope and high functional group tolerance.     

Cobalt-catalyzed sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives with Grignard reagents and their application to the synthesis of 1,3-diols

Cobalt/N-heterocyclic carbene system or cobalt/diamine combination effectively catalyzes sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives with trialkylsilylmethyl, 1-alkynyl, and aryl Grignard reagents. The sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions are applied to the synthesis of 1,3-diols starting from siloxy-tethered 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives.     

Catalysts for cross-coupling reactions with non-activated alkyl halides

Despite the problems inherent to metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with alkyl halides, these reactions have become increasingly important during the last few years. Detailed mechanistic investigations have led to a variety of novel procedures for the selective cross-coupling of non-activated alkyl halides bearing beta hydrogen atoms with a variety of organometallic nucleophiles under mild reaction conditions. This Minireview highlights selected examples of metal-catalyzed coupling methods and is intended to encourage chemists to exploit the potential of these approaches in organic synthesis.     

Copper-mediated cross-coupling of functionalized arylmagnesium reagents with functionalized alkyl and benzylic halides

[reaction: see text]. Functionalized arylmagnesium halides, prepared via an iodine-magnesium exchange, undergo a smooth cross-coupling reaction with functionalized primary alkyl iodides and benzylic bromides in the presence of CuCN.2LiCl, either in stoichiometric (with trimethyl phosphite as an additive) or catalytic quantities.     

Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of nonactivated secondary alkyl halides and tosylates with secondary alkyl Grignard reagents

Practical catalytic cross-coupling of secondary alkyl electrophiles with secondary alkyl nucleophiles under Cu catalysis has been realized. The use of TMEDA and LiOMe is critical for the success of the reaction. This cross-coupling reaction occurs via an S(N)2 mechanism with inversion of configuration and therefore provides a general approach for the stereocontrolled formation of C-C bonds between two tertiary carbons from chiral secondary alcohols.     

Ni-catalyzed reductive allylation of unactivated alkyl halides with allylic carbonates

Game of two electrophiles: Two partially positively charged sp(3) carbon atoms can be connected by using a catalytic Ni species in the presence of an environmentally benign Zn reductant, delivering allylated alkanes. This unprecedented approach allowed a variety of unactivated alkyl halides and substituted allylic carbonates to regioselectively afford E-alkenes in good to excellent yields.