Homoleptic Organolanthanum-Catalyzed Carbohalogenation

J Am Chem Soc. 2024 Sep 11;146(36):25361-25370. doi: 10.1021/jacs.4c10445. Epub 2024 Aug 27.

Abstract

Metal-halogen exchange reactions are fundamental processes in chemistry that transform organic halides into organometallic reagents. However, using these reactions to build intricate structures in a cascade manner, especially in a catalytic mode, has been a challenge. In this study, we introduce a homoleptic organolanthanum catalyst to initiate lanthanum-halogen exchange and intramolecular carbohalogenation. The catalytic pathway can be achieved through metal-halogen exchange and carbometalation, followed by the extraction of halogen atoms from starting materials. Our approach offers a flexible and sustainable way to create a variety of useful compounds, showcasing its potential in chemical synthesis.