Organometallic compounds alkene coupling

Cross-coupling of allylic compounds occurs by transmetallation between 7i-allyl intermediates and organometallic compounds of Mg, Zn, B, Al, Si and Sn, and subsequent reductive elimination. Reaction of the allylic dithioacetal 180 with MeMgBr in the presence of an Ni catalyst affords alkenes 184 bearing a tert-butyl group [90]. In this reaction, generation of the 7i-allylnickel 181 by oxidative addition and subsequent transmetallation with MeMgBr afford 182. Then the methylated product 183 is formed by reductive elimination, and finally the dimethylated product 184 is formed by the sequence of similar reactions. 

A convenient method for the conversion of aldehydes (RCHO) to alkenes (RCH = CHj), knovm as methylenation, involves the reaction of a zinc/copper couple with diiodomethane in the presence of the carbonyl compound dissolved in tetrahy-drofuran. The reaction first generates an organometallic intermediate (ICH2ZnI) which then reacts with the carbonyl compound. The conversion of benzaldehyde to styrene using this conventional methodology required a reaction time of 6 h at 40 °C. When the reaction was sonicated however comparable yields of around 70%... 

The stereodefined alkenyl halides are of prime importance due to the recent developments of di- or trisubstituted alkene synthesis by cross-coupling reactions between organometallics and alkenyl halides catalyzed by transition metal compounds 171). These alkenyl halides can be conveniently obtained from alkenylboranes or alkeneboronic acids. B-Alk enylcatecholboranes undergo rapid hydrolysis when stirred with excess water at 25 °C (Eq. 109)102). The alkeneboronic acids are usually crystalline solids of low solubility in water and can be easily isolated and handled in air without significant deterioration. 

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