Stereospecific Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Benzylic Ethers with Isotopically-Labeled Grignard Reagents

In this manuscript we highlight the potential of stereospecific nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions for applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Using an inexpensive and sustainable nickel catalyst, we report a gram-scale Kumada cross-coupling reaction. Reactions are highly stereospecific and proceed with inversion at the benzylic position. We also expand the scope of our reaction to incorporate isotopically labeled substituents.