Catalysts for cross-coupling reactions with non-activated alkyl halides

Abstract

Despite the problems inherent to metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with alkyl halides, these reactions have become increasingly important during the last few years. Detailed mechanistic investigations have led to a variety of novel procedures for the selective cross-coupling of non-activated alkyl halides bearing beta hydrogen atoms with a variety of organometallic nucleophiles under mild reaction conditions. This Minireview highlights selected examples of metal-catalyzed coupling methods and is intended to encourage chemists to exploit the potential of these approaches in organic synthesis.