Cross-Electrophile Coupling: Principles, Methods, and Applications in Synthesis.

Cross-electrophile coupling (XEC), defined by us as the cross-coupling of two different σ-electrophiles that is driven by catalyst reduction, has seen rapid progression in recent years. As such, this review aims to summarize the field from its beginnings up until mid-2023 and to provide comprehensive coverage on synthetic methods and current state of mechanistic understanding. Chapters are split by type of bond formed, which include C(sp)-C(sp), C(sp)-C(sp), C(sp)-C(sp), and C(sp)-C(sp) bond formation.

Sulfone Electrophiles in Cross-Electrophile Coupling: Nickel-Catalyzed Difluoromethylation of Aryl Bromides.

Fluoroalkyl fragments have played a critical role in the design of pharmaceutical and agrochemical molecules in recent years due to the enhanced biological properties of fluorinated molecules compared to their non-fluorinated analogues. Despite the potential advantages conferred by incorporating a difluoromethyl group in organic compounds, industrial adoption of difluoromethylation methods lags behind fluorination and trifluoromethylation. This is due in part to challenges in applying common difluoromethyl sources towards industrial applications.