Cross-coupling reactions are among the most important carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions. Now the nickel-catalysed cross-coupling of chiral sulfones with Grignard reagents has been achieved with up to 99% retention of chirality. The speed of the cross-coupling relative to sulfone deprotonation and racemization is critical to enabling this enantiospecific process.
- Roberto Nolla-Saltiel
- Zachary T. Ariki
- Cathleen M. Crudden