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  • Traceless directing group for stereospecific nickel-catalyzed alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling reactions.

Traceless directing group for stereospecific nickel-catalyzed alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling reactions.

Organic letters (2012-05-10)
Margaret A Greene, Ivelina M Yonova, Florence J Williams, Elizabeth R Jarvo
PMID22568515
ABSTRACT

Stereospecific nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of benzylic 2-methoxyethyl ethers are reported for the preparation of enantioenriched 1,1-diarylethanes. The 2-methoxyethyl ether serves as a traceless directing group that accelerates cross-coupling. Chelation of magnesium ions is proposed to activate the benzylic C-O bond for oxidative addition.