Copper(I) Enolate Complexes in α‐Arylation Reactions: Synthesis, Reactivity, and Mechanism

Copper is all bound up: The copper-catalyzed α-arylation of carbonyl compounds occurs through oxidative addition of iodoarenes to the C-bound CuI enolate species 1 to form an aryl–CuIII intermediate (see scheme). Computational results provide insight into the origins of the relative reactivity of various CuI enolate complexes in the reactions with iodoarenes. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as "Supporting Information". Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.