Cross-coupling reaction

Richard F. Heck, Ei-ichi Negishi, and Akira Suzuki were awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions.

[5][6] Many mechanisms exist reflecting the myriad types of cross-couplings, including those that do not require metal catalysts.

The final step is reductive elimination of the two coupling fragments to regenerate the catalyst and give the organic product.

Unsaturated substrates, such as C(sp)−X and C(sp2)−X bonds, couple more easily, in part because they add readily to the catalyst.

The main group metal in the organometallic partner is usually an electropositive element such as tin, zinc, silicon, or boron.

[20] Cross-coupling reactions are important for the production of pharmaceuticals,[4] examples being montelukast, eletriptan, naproxen, varenicline, and resveratrol.