Organocuprate Cross–Coupling Reactions with Alkyl Fluorides

Abstract

Cross-coupling of alkyl fluorides and organocuprates is accomplished via aluminum halide mediated C–F bond activation and subsequent Csp2–Csp3 and Csp3–Csp3 bond formation. Relatively mild conditions allow for smooth activation of notoriously challenging primary and secondary alkyl fluorides while competing alkyl chain rearrangement, HF elimination, and homocoupling reactions are effectively controlled. The utility and functional group tolerance are demonstrated with 23 examples and a variety of coupling products obtained in up to 88% yield.