Nickel-mediated inter- and intramolecular reductive cross-coupling of unactivated alkyl bromides and aryl iodides at room temperature.

A nickel-mediated intermolecular reductive cross-coupling reaction of unactivated alkyl bromides and aryl iodides at room temperature has been developed and successfully extended to less explored intramolecular versions and tandem cyclization-intermolecular cross-coupling. Highly stereoselective (or stereospecific) synthesis of linear-fused perhydrofuro[2,3-b]furan (pyran) and spiroketal skeletons allows rapid access to these useful building blocks, which would be potentially valuable in the synthesis of relevant natural products. A rational explanation for the formation of contiguous stereogenic centers is given.