Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026

A Microwave-Assisted Direct Heteroarylation of Ketones Using Transition Metal Catalysis
Published on: February 16, 2020
Alkyl-(Hetero)Aryl Bond Formation via Decarboxylative Cross-Coupling: A Systematic Analysis
Frederik Sandfort1, Matthew J O'Neill1, Josep Cornella1
1The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
Redox-active esters enable efficient cross-coupling of alkyl carboxylic acids with aryl and heteroaryl compounds. This breakthrough expands synthetic capabilities for forming crucial carbon-carbon bonds in chemical science.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Synthetic Chemistry
Background:
- Suzuki, Negishi, and Kumada couplings are vital for C-C bond formation, primarily between aromatic rings.
- The analogous coupling with alkyl halides is limited by the availability of suitable building blocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore redox-active esters as versatile surrogates for alkyl halides in cross-coupling reactions.
- To identify optimal conditions and activating agents for coupling various alkyl carboxylic acids with organometallic species.
Main Methods:
- Systematic experimental design involving approximately 200 experiments.
- Utilizing readily accessible redox-active esters derived from carboxylic acids and amide coupling agents.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful cross-coupling of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl carboxylic acids.
- Facilitated the formation of C-C bonds with both aryl and heteroaryl organometallic species.
Conclusions:
- Redox-active esters provide a practical and efficient alternative to alkyl halides in cross-coupling.
- This methodology broadens the scope of C-C bond formation, impacting diverse areas of chemical science.
Related Concept Videos
C–C Bond Formation: Aldol Condensation Overview
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Friedel–Crafts Acylation of Benzene
Alkenes via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: McMurry Reaction
C–C Bond Cleavage: Retro-Aldol Reaction
In the first step, as depicted in Figure 1, the base deprotonates the β-hydroxy ketone at the hydroxyl group to form an alkoxide ion.
Acid-Catalyzed α-Halogenation of Aldehydes and Ketones
In the first step of the mechanism, the acid protonates the carbonyl oxygen resulting in a resonance-stabilized cation, which subsequently loses an α-hydrogen to form an enol tautomer. The C=C bond in an enol is highly nucleophilic because of the electron-donating nature of the –OH group. Consequently, the double bond attacks an electrophilic halogen to form a...
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.

