Stille cross-couplings of unactivated secondary alkyl halides using monoorganotin reagents.

The first catalyst that achieves Stille cross-couplings of secondary (as well as primary) alkyl halides has been developed. The method employs easily handled and inexpensive catalyst components (NiCl2 and 2,2'-bipyridine) and, through the use of monoorganotin reagents, avoids the formation of toxic and difficult-to-remove triorganotin side products.