Recent Advances of the Halogen-Zinc Exchange Reaction

For the preparation of zinc organometallics bearing highly sensitive functional groups such as ketones, aldehydes or nitro groups, especially mild halogen-zinc exchange reagents have proven to be of great potential. In this Minireview, the latest research in the area of the halogen-zinc exchange reaction is reported, with a special focus lying on novel dialkylzinc reagents complexed with lithium alkoxides. Additionally, the preparation and application of organofluorine zinc reagents and transition-metal-catalyzed halogen-zinc exchange reactions are reviewed.