Transition-Metal-Free Suzuki-Type Cross-Coupling Reaction of Benzyl Halides and Boronic Acids via 1,2-Metalate Shift

) halides, including aryl bromides and iodides, are unaffected. The orthogonal chemoselectivity is demonstrated in the streamlined synthesis of highly functionalized diaryl methane scaffolds using multi-halogenated substrates. Preliminary mechanistic experiments suggest both the sulfonium salt and the sulfur ylide are involved in the reaction, with the formation of sulfonium salt being the slowest step in the overall catalytic cycle.