Structure–Reactivity Relationship in the Reaction of Highly Reactive Zinc with Alkyl Bromides

Zinc is different! Unlike with magnesium or lithium, the reactions of organic bromides with highly reactive zinc (Zn*) show sensitivity for the structure of the organic moiety. Selective insertions of Zn into tertiary C–Br bonds can be achieved [Eq. (a)]. Competitive kinetic techniques were used to quantify these findings.