Nickel-Catalysed Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Benzyl Bromides and Sulfonium Salts towards the Synthesis of Dihydrostilbenes

Abstract

A nickel-catalysed reductive cross-coupling reaction between benzyl sulfonium salts and benzyl bromides is reported. Simple, stable and readily available sulfonium salts have shown their ability as leaving groups in cross-electrophile coupling, allowing the formation of challenging sp³ -sp³ carbon-carbon bonds, towards the synthesis of interesting dihydrostilbene derivatives. In addition, benzyl tosyl derivatives have been demonstrated to be suitable substrates for reductive cross-coupling by in-situ formation of the corresponding sulfonium salt.

Keywords: cross-coupling; electrophile coupling; nickel catalysis; sulfonium salts.