Highly Selective Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Csp2-Csp3 Cross-Coupling of Arylzinc and Alkylindium Reagents through Double Transmetallation

Using desyl chloride (2-chloro-1,2-diphenylethanone) as the oxidant, the palladium-catalyzed reaction of arylzinc with alkylindium reagents occurred smoothly in a highly selective manner to afford the products in 57-90% yields. Preliminary kinetic data indicated that alkylindium reagents were highly favored for transmetallation with the alkoxy-palladium moiety.