A Bipyridine-Promoted Csp 3 -Csp 3 Coupling of beta-Chlorophenones.

A novel, direct Csp 3 -Csp 3 coupling reaction of β-chlorophenone with alkanes using 2-(tert-butylperoxy)-2-methylpropane (DTBP) as the oxidant and 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) as the effective additive was developed. A variety of β-chloropropiophenones were well tolerated, and afforded alkylated products in moderate to good yields. A mechanistic study indicated a free radical pathway was involved in this alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling reaction.