Abstract: | Merits and drawbacks of known carbon-carbon linking procedures are outlined. Two novel methods are discussed in some detail: the copper-catalyzed alkylation of Grignard reagents and reactions with allylpotassium compounds. Both methods provide a very efficient access to saturated, unsaturated, as well as functionally substituted hydrocarbons and moreover permit an astonishing degree of regio- and stereoselective control of olefin synthesis. |