Direct C(sp²)-C(sp³) cross-coupling of diaryl zinc reagents with benzylic, primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl halides

The direct C(sp²)-C(sp³) cross-coupling of diaryl zinc reagents with benzylic, primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl halides proceeded in the absence of coordinating ethereal solvents at ambient temperature without the addition of a catalyst. The C(sp²)-C(sp³) cross-coupling showed excellent functional-group tolerance, and products were isolated in high yields, generally without the requirement for purification by chromatography. This process represents an expedient, operationally simple method for the construction of new C(sp²)-C(sp³) bonds. Zinc and you'll miss it! Direct C(sp²)-C(sp³) cross-coupling of diaryl zinc reagents with alkyl halides proceeded rapidly at ambient temperature without a coordinating ethereal solvent or an added catalyst (see scheme). This versatile, operationally simple approach to C(sp²)-C(sp³) bond formation enables the expedient construction of a diverse array of carbon-based structural motifs.