ZrCl2(η-C5Me5)2-AlHCl2·(THF)2: efficient hydroalumination of terminal alkynes and cross-coupling of the derived alanes.

Stabilized AlHCl(2)·(THF)(2) hydroaluminates RC≡CH with exceptional chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity under efficient ZrCl(2)(η-C(5)Me(5))(2) catalysis (2-5 mol%). The resulting vinyl alanes undergo palladium cross-coupling with a wide range of sp(2) electrophiles (aryl, heteroaryl and vinyl halides/pseudohalides) in good to excellent yields.

The design and synthesis of novel IBiox N-heterocyclic carbene ligands derived from substituted amino-indanols.

A synthetic route towards a number of novel IBiox N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands has been developed. The resulting ligands have restricted flexibility and high steric demand. Preliminary studies have shown these ligands to give high levels of asymmetric induction in the copper-free allylic alkylation of cinnamyl bromide.