Stereospecific cross-coupling between alkenylboronates and alkyl halides catalyzed by iron-bisphosphine complexes.

A stereospecific and high-yielding cross-coupling reaction between alkenylboron reagents and alkyl halides is described. The reaction has been achieved by using well-defined iron-bisphosphine complexes such as 1b FeCl(2)(3,5-t-Bu(2)-SciOPP), which was recently developed by the authors' group. Various nonactivated alkyl bromides and chlorides possessing a base/nucleophile-sensitive functional group can participate in the cross-coupling, demonstrating its utility for stereoselective synthesis of functional molecules bearing a carbon-carbon double bond.