Simplification of the Mitsunobu reaction.: Di-p-chlorobenzyl azodicarboxylate:: A new azodicarboxylate

Di-p-chlorobenzyl azodicarboxylate (DCAD) is introduced as a novel, stable, solid alternative to DEAD and DIAD for a variety of Mitsunobu couplings. DCAD/Ph3P-mediated reactions in CH2Cl2 generate a readily separable hydrazine byproduct.