A method for the catalytic generation of functionalized aryl alkali metals is reported. These highly reactive intermediates are liberated from silyl‐protected aryl‐substituted diazenes by the action of Lewis basic alkali metal silanolates, resulting in desilylation and loss of N2. Catalytic quantities of these Lewis bases initiate the transfer of the aryl nucleophile from the diazene to carbonyl and
The development of a direct ylide transfer to carbonyl derivatives and of a sulfoxide-mediated arylation is presented from a unified perspective. Mechanistic studies (including density functional calculations) support a common reaction pathway and showcase how subtle changes in reactant properties can lead to disparate and seemingly unrelated reaction outcomes.
Under Pd(0)-Et3B catalysis, vinyl epoxide serves as a formal 3-butenyl 2-anion-1-cation equivalent, and the cation reacts with aldehydes at the alpha-position, and the anion, at the carbonyl carbon, furnishing 2-vinylcyclobutanols in one pot.