Efficient C-Ar bond formation

Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings of Benzylic Pivalates with Arylboroxines: Stereospecific Formation of Diarylalkanes and Triarylmethanes

Qi Zhou , Harathi D. Srinivas , Srimoyee Dasgupta , and Mary P. Watson *

"We have developed a stereospecific nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of benzylic pivalates with arylboroxines. The success of this reaction relies on the use of Ni(cod)₂ as the catalyst and NaOMe as a uniquely effective base. This reaction has broad scope with respect to the arylboroxine and benzylic pivalate, enabling the synthesis of a variety of diarylalkanes and triarylmethanes in good to excellent yields and ee’s."

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja312087x

Posted by Alex Zhukhovitskiy