Stereospecific Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Alkyl Ethers: Enantioselective Synthesis of Diarylethanes.

Secondary benzylic ethers undergo stereospecific substitution reactions with Grignard reagents in the presence of nickel catalysts. Reactions proceed with inversion of configuration and high stereochemical fidelity. This reaction allows for facile enantioselective synthesis of biologically active diarylethanes from readily available optically enriched carbinols.