Nickel-Catalyzed Alkyl-Alkyl Cross-Electrophile Coupling Reaction of 1,3-Dimesylates for the Synthesis of Alkylcyclopropanes.

Cross-electrophile coupling reactions of two Csp(3)-X bonds remain challenging. Herein we report an intramolecular nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling reaction of 1,3-diol derivatives. Notably, this transformation is utilized to synthesize a range of mono- and 1,2-disubstituted alkylcyclopropanes, including those derived from terpenes, steroids, and aldol products. Additionally, enantioenriched cyclopropanes are synthesized from the products of proline-catalyzed and Evans aldol reactions. A procedure for direct transformation of 1,3-diols to cyclopropanes is also described. Calculations and experimental data are consistent with a nickel-catalyzed mechanism that begins with stereoablative oxidative addition at the secondary center.