1,3-Butadienylzinc Trimer Formed via Transmetalation from 1,4-Dilithio-1,3-butadienes: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Application in Negishi Cross-Coupling

The first well-defined 1,3-butadienylzinc trimers have been synthesized by transmetalation of 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes with 1 equiv of ZnBr₂. Their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis. Their reaction chemistry has been demonstrated by Pd-catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling with iodobenzenes.