Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling between functionalized primary or secondary alkylzinc halides and primary alkyl halides.

In the presence of Bu(4)NI (3 equiv) and 4-fluorostyrene (20 mol %), unreactive primary and secondary alkylzinc iodides undergo nickel-catalyzed cross-couplings with various primary alkyl iodides or bromides. More reactive secondary dialkylzincs and the mixed zinc organometallics RZnTMSM undergo the cross-coupling reaction in the absence of Bu(4)NI. The bicyclic secondary diorganozinc 6 prepared via boron-zinc exchange reacts with high retention of configuration. Free NH-groups are tolerated in the cross-coupling allowing the synthesis of aminated products.