Nickel-Catalyzed Hydroalkenylation of Alkynes through C–F Bond Activation: Synthesis of 2-Fluoro-1,3-dienes

Abstract

2-Fluoro-1,3-dienes were synthesized through nickel-catalyzed coupling reactions between β,β-difluorostyrenes and alkynes in the presence of ZrF4 as co-catalyst and a hydride source derived from triethylborane and lithium isopropoxide. Mechanistic studies revealed that the carbon–fluorine bond was cleaved by β-fluorine elimination from intermediary nickelacyclopentenes generated through oxidative cyclization of the two substrates.