A general olefin synthesis

Abstract

The reaction between secondary Grignard reagents and alkylthioarenes or alkylthioalkenes in the presence of 1:1 nickel dichloride–triphenylphosphine causing the substitution of alkylthio-groups by hydrogen atoms, the nickel(0)-induced replacement of alkylthio-groups of the aforementioned sulphides by alkyl or aryl functions, and the observation of regiocontrol in the catalysed reactions of Grignard reagents with unsymmetrical 1,1-bis(alkylthio)alkenes have led to a scheme of general, regio-, and stereo-selective olefine synthesis.