ChemInform Abstract: Indium-Copper and Indium-Silver Mediated Barbier-Grignard-Type Alkylation Reaction of Aldehydes Using Unactivated Alkyl Halides in Water

An efficient method has been developed for the Barbier–Grignard-type alkylation reaction of aldehydes (including aliphatic version) using unactivated alkyl halides in water in the presence of an In/CuI/I2 or In/AgI/I2 system. The reactions proceeded more efficiently in water than in organic solvent. In, CuI or AgI, and I2 were all essential for the efficient progress of the reactions. A radical-type reaction mechanism was studied and proposed by using 4-pentenal as substrate.