A unique catalyst effects the rapid room-temperature cross-coupling of organozinc reagents with carboxylic acid fluorides, chlorides, anhydrides, and thioesters.

We have identified a catalyst capable of effecting the rapid, room-temperature cross-coupling between acid fluorides and diorganozinc reagents. The use of acid fluorides as electrophilic partners allows this reaction to tolerate epimerizable functionality as well as beta leaving groups. The same catalyst is also capable of cross-coupling acid chlorides, acyl cyanides, anhydrides, thioesters, and pyridyl esters. Noteworthy is the ability of the reaction to successfully transfer both groups from the organometalic fragment.