Silver-catalyzed benzylation and allylation of tertiary alkyl bromides with organozinc reagents.

Silver salts catalyze the benzylation and allylation of tertiary alkyl bromides with organozinc reagents. The reactions create quaternary carbon centers efficiently. Treatment of gem-dibromoalkanes with benzylic or allylic zinc reagents under silver catalysis leads to dibenzylation or diallylation. The functional-group compatibility of the present reactions is wider than that of the previous reactions with Grignard reagents.