Quinonediimines as redox-active organocatalysts for oxidative coupling of aryl- and alkenylmagnesium compounds under molecular oxygen.

Abstract

It is revealed that N,N'-diphenyl-p-benzoquinonediimine works as a redox-active organocatalyst for the oxidative homo-coupling of aryl- and alkenylmagnesium compounds under molecular oxygen. The catalytic cycle was formally monitored by (1)H NMR experiments.