Use of the 2-Pyridinesulfonyloxy Leaving Group for the Fast Copper-Catalyzed Coupling Reaction at Secondary Alkyl Carbons with Grignard Reagents

Investigation of the copper-catalyzed coupling reaction of 2-pyridinesulfonates with Grignard reagents revealed that reactions with catalytic Cu(OTf)(2) were completed in <40 min. The results differed from those of the previous CuI-catalyzed reactions of tosylates in the presence of additives (LiOMe and TMEDA) for 12-24 h. It was shown that the preferred coordination of the leaving group to the reagents accelerated the reaction. Successful reagents were MeMgCl and other RMgX. Complete inversion was established.