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 sp2-hybridized reaction sites (e.g., an aryl metal with an aryl halide). As of 2001, there were relatively few examples of metalcatalyzed 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 b hydrogens. Our recent efforts to develop broadly applicable methods, including enantioselective processes, will be discussed.