Nickel-catalyzed asymmetric cross-couplings of racemic propargylic halides with arylzinc reagents

A stereoconvergent method for the catalytic asymmetric Negishi cross-coupling of racemic secondary propargylic halides with arylzinc reagents has been developed. Neither family of compounds has previously been shown to be a suitable partner in such coupling processes. From a practical point of view, it is noteworthy that the catalyst components (NiCl2 glyme and pybox ligand 1) are commercially available.