Acceleration of CuI-catalyzed coupling reaction of alkyl halides with aryl Grignard reagents using lithium chloride

Abstract

In the presence of LiCl, CuI-catalyzed coupling reaction of R(alkyl)-X with Ar(aryl)MgBr at rt was completed within 2h. Effective leaving groups X in R-X were Br, I, OTs, but not Cl. Grignard reagents ArMgBr with both standard and bulky Ar such as 2-MeC6H4, 2-MeOC6H4, and 2,6-(Me)2C6H3 afforded the desired products in good yields. Ester and cyano groups in R-X were tolerated. Coupling reaction with R(alkyl)-MgBr proceeded as well.