Improving Alkyl–Alkyl Cross-Coupling Catalysis with Early Transition Metals through Mechanistic Understanding and Metal Tuning

Alkyl–alkyl cross-coupling is a powerful C–C bond-forming transformation typically catalyzed by late transition metals. Herein, we report mechanistic investigation into an early metal-catalyzed variant of this reaction. Through understanding, ideal Y catalyst was determined through tuning the metal in order to optimize oxidation potential, which governs rate-limiting step A wide substrate scope revealed that includes variety functional groups as well less activated substrates.