Biphenyl sulfonic acid ligands for catalytic C-N cross coupling of aryl halides with anilines and secondary amines.

The use of two biphenyl sulfonic acid ligands for the catalytic C-N cross coupling of aryl halides with anilines, 3-aminopyridine, and secondary amines is reported. Our results represent a significant improvement compared to state of the art methods especially with regards to the removal of palladium.

Chromium-catalyzed pinacol-type cross-coupling: studies on stereoselectivity.

A chromium-catalyzed pinacol-type cross-coupling reaction between alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and aldehydes is reported. Even sterically demanding substrates could be coupled to afford the corresponding pinacols in good yields. Systematic studies concerning the origin of the diastereoselectivities led to the proposal of a mechanism for this synthetically useful reaction.