Direct Formation of Secondary and Tertiary Alkylzinc Bromides and Subsequent Cu(I)-Mediated Couplings

Secondary and tertiary alkylzinc bromides can be generated from the direct oxidative addition of Rieke zinc to secondary and tertiary alkyl bromides in high yield. These organozinc reagents have been found to undergo copper-catalyzed conjugate addition, cross-coupling with acid chlorides, and carbocupration to activated alkynes.