Iron-catalyzed Negishi coupling toward an effective olefin synthesis.

A selective iron-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkyl halides with alkenylzinc reagents is described. Primary and secondary alkyl chlorides, bromides, and iodides take part in the reaction to give the corresponding olefins in good to excellent yields in a stereospecific manner. High functional group compatibility is also demonstrated by using combinations of substrates possessing rather reactive substituents.