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Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Efficient Synthesis of All-Carbon Quaternary Centers via the Conjugate Addition of Functionalized Monoorganozinc Bromides
Published on: May 26, 2019
Zinc(II)-Mediated Carbene Insertion into C-H Bonds in Alkanes
Naveen V Kulkarni1, Chandrakanta Dash1, Naleen B Jayaratna1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington, Texas 76019, United States.
Abstract:
The cationic zinc adduct {[HB(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3]Zn(NCMe)2}ClO4 catalyzes the functionalization of tertiary, secondary, and primary C-H bonds of alkanes via carbene insertion. Ethyl diazoacetate serves as the :CHCO2Et carbene precursor. The counteranion, supporting ligand, and coordinating solvents affect the catalytic activity. An in situ generated {[HB(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3]Zn}(+) species containing a bulkier {B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4}(-) anion gives the best results among the zinc catalysts used.
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