Asymmetric alkyl-alkyl cross-couplings of unactivated secondary alkyl electrophiles: stereoconvergent Suzuki reactions of racemic acylated halohydrins.

A method for asymmetric alkyl-alkyl Suzuki reactions of unactivated secondary alkyl electrophiles, specifically, cross-couplings of racemic acylated halohydrins with alkylborane reagents, has been developed. A range of protected bromohydrins, as well as a protected chlorohydrin and a homologated bromohydrin, are coupled in good ee by a catalyst derived from commercially available components.