Atom-efficient arylation of N-tosylimines mediated by cooperative ZnAr2/Zn(C6F5)2 combinations

Abstract

By combining the Lewis acid Zn(C₆F₅)₂ with nucleophilic diarylzinc (ZnAr₂) reagents, we report the atom-efficient arylation of N-tosylimines under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies through the isolation of key intermediates reveal how the two zinc species act cooperatively to activate the imine substrate and regenerate the ZnAr₂ reagent, enabling a limiting 50 mol% to be employed.