Selective substituent transfer from mixed zinc reagents in Ni-catalyzed anhydride alkylation.

The use of mixed zinc reagents in Ni-catalyzed anhydride alkylation results in preferential transfer of substituents (Ph > Me > Et >> iPr approximately TMSCH2) for the ligands bipy, dppe, and iPrPHOX. Utilization of such mixed species allows the use of 0.55 equiv of the diorganozinc reagent, effectively transferring both desired substituents when used in conjunction with a suitable second zinc reagent.