A new, simple, efficient electrosynthesis of functionalized benzylic zinc species and their reactivity toward aromatic aldehydes

Abstract Various stable substituted benzylic zincs are formed in acetonitrile upon reaction of the bromide derivatives, in good yields, using a catalytic electrogenerated zinc species associated with massive zinc. In the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane, these organozincs react instantaneously with functionalized aromatic aldehydes.