Reactivity of mixed organozinc and mixed organocopper reagents: 11. Nickel‐catalyzed atom‐economic aryl–allyl coupling of mixed (n‐alkyl)(aryl)zincs

Abstract

Group selectivity in the allylation of mixed (n‐butyl)(phenyl)zinc reagent can be controlled by changing reaction parameters. CuCN‐catalyzed allylation in tetrahydrofuran (THF)–hexamethylphosphoric triamide is n‐butyl selective and also γ‐selective in the presence of MgCl2, whereas CuI‐catalyzed allylation in THF in the presence of n‐Bu3P takes place with a n‐butyl transfer:phenyl transfer ratio of 23:77 and an α:γ transfer ratio of phenyl of 76:24. NiCl2(Ph3P)2‐catalyzed allylation in the presence of LiCl is phenyl selective with an α:γ ratio of 65:35. The reaction of methyl‐ or n‐butyl(aryl)zinc reagents with an allylic electrophile in THF at room temperature in the presence of NiCl2(Ph3P)2 catalyst and LiCl as an additive provides an atom‐economic alternative to aryl–allyl coupling using diarylzincs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.