Nickel/Cobalt-Catalyzed C(sp3)-C(sp3) Cross-Coupling of Alkyl Halides with Alkyl Tosylates

The C(sp(3))-C(sp3) Cross-Coupling of alkyl halides with alkyl tosylates has been developed by employing a combination of nickel and nucleophilic cobalt catalysts in the presence of a manganese reductant. This method provides a straightforward route to a diverse set of not only secondary-primary but also primary-primary C(sp(3))-C(sp(3)) linkages under mild conditions without using alkyl-metallic reagents. Mechanistic studies suggest the formation of alkyl radicals from both alkyl halides and alkyl tosylates. Additionally, cross-coupling could be applied to the short-step synthesis of a histone deacetylase inhibitor, Vorinostat.