The first Negishi cross-coupling reaction of two alkyl centers utilizing a pd-n-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyst

The development of an NHC-based system capable of cross-coupling sp(3-)sp(3) centers in high yield has been a long-standing challenge. This communication describes the use of a Pd-NHC catalytic system that achieves room-temperature Negishi cross-couplings of unactivated, primary bromides and alkyl organozinc reagents with a variety of functionality.