Cross-coupling of E,E-1,4-diiodobuta-1,3-diene with nucleophiles catalyzed by Pd or Ni complexes:: a new route to functionalized dienes

E,E-1,4-Diiodobuta-1,3-diene can enter into cross-coupling reactions with carbon- or other element-centered nucleophiles in the presence of Pd or Ni complexes as catalysts. Convenient procedures were developed for the stereoselective synthesis of E,E-1,4-dialkenylbuta-1,3-dienes, dienyl-1,4-bisphosphonates, E,E-1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)buta-1,3-diene, E,E-1,4-diphenylbuta-1,3-diene, and E,E-1,4-bis(thiophenyl)buta-1,3-diene.