Stereospecific Olefin Synthesis via Lithium Vinylcuprates

The conjugate addition of cis- or trans-1-alkenyl-cuprolithium complexes (R? CH?CH? )₂CuLi · X_n

1 R ? alkyl, X ? ligands such as ether, tetrahydrofuran, (CH₃O)₃P and (n-Bu)₃P. Physical studies to determine the structure of these copper reagents are in progress, see footnote ²⁰ of reference 1].

to α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds was found to occur with high retention of double bond geometry, affording isomerically pure cis- or trans-γ, δ-ethylenic carbonyl compounds. The same 1-alkenylcuprates also react stereospecifically with alkyl halides to give isomerically pure cis- or trans-olefins.