Preparation and palladium-mediated cross-coupling of α-benzoyloxyalkylzinc bromides

Here we report a two-step preparation protocol of α-benzoyloxyalkylzinc bromides from α-benzoyloxyalkyl selenides, and their application to palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with aryl and vinyl iodides. The developed method effectively provides a variety of benzoyl-protected benzylic and allylic alcohol derivatives through the formation of C(sp3)–C(sp2) bonds without affecting various polar functional groups.