Metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkyl electrophiles

Despite the tremendous accomplishments that have been described in the development of transition metal-catalyzed coupling processes, it is nevertheless true that many significant opportunities remain. For example, to date the overwhelming majority of studies have focused on couplings between two sp -hybridized reaction sites (e.g., an aryl metal with an aryl halide). As of 2001, there were relatively few examples of metal-catalyzed coupling reactions of alkyl electrophiles. During the past decade, we have pursued the discovery of transition metal-based catalysts for coupling activated and unactivated alkyl electrophiles that bear β hydrogens. Our recent efforts to develop broadly applicable methods, including enantioselective processes, will be discussed.