Multimetallic Ni- and Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Electrophile Coupling To Form Highly Substituted 1,3-Dienes

The synthesis of highly substituted 1,3-dienes from the coupling of vinyl bromides with vinyl triflates is reported for the first time. The coupling is catalyzed by a combination of (5,5'-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2,2'-bipyridine)NiBr₂ and (1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane)PdCl₂ in the presence of a zinc reductant. This method affords tetra- and penta-substituted 1,3-dienes that would otherwise be difficult to access and tolerates electron-rich and -poor substituents, heterocycles, an aryl bromide, and a pinacol boronate ester. Mechanistically, the reaction appears to proceed by an unusual zinc-mediated transfer of a vinyl group between the nickel and palladium centers.