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 a mechanistic investigation into an early transition metal-catalyzed variant of this reaction. Through this mechanistic understanding, an ideal Y catalyst was determined through tuning of the metal in order to optimize the oxidation potential, which governs the rate-limiting step in this reaction. A wide substrate scope is revealed that includes a variety of functional groups as well as less activated substrates.