Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reaction of Secondary Benzylic Bromides with Grignard Reagents

A mild palladium-catalyzed Kumada-Corriu reaction of secondary benzylic bromides with aryl and alkenyl Grignard reagents has been developed. In the presence of the Xantphos ligand, the undesired beta-elimination pathway is minimized, affording the corresponding cross-coupling products in acceptable to good yields. The reaction proceeds with inversion of the configuration.