Sequential olefination–dimerisation of benzylic dithioacetals by the nickel-catalysed reaction with methyl Grignard or zinc reagent?

RSC Advances Pub Date: 2022-03-28 DOI: 10.1039/D2RA00841F

Abstract

Products of main group elements from cross-coupling reactions have been shown to serve as Lewis acids, mediating further reactions of organic coupling products. Thus, the nickel-catalysed olefination of benzylic dithioacetal with MeMgI in benzene in a sealed Schlenk tube at 130 °C generates magnesium mercaptide which regioselectively converts 2-arylpropene into a dimer in good yield. Aryl iodide reacts with 2-propenylmagnesium bromide in the presence of 1,2-ethanedithiol and NiCl2(PPh3)2 to yield the same dimer. Replacement of the Grignard reagent by an organozinc reagent gives the dimers in a better yield.

Graphical abstract: Sequential olefination–dimerisation of benzylic dithioacetals by the nickel-catalysed reaction with methyl Grignard or zinc reagent
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