Stereoselective synthesis and reactivity of dienyl zirconocene derivatives

Stereoselective dienyl zirconocene derivatives have been prepared via a tandem allylic C-H bond activation isomerization-elimination reaction. These reagents can be either trapped directly with electrophiles or transmetalated to copper to participate in several carbon-carbon bond formations. When the transmetalation is performed on allylic as well as vinylic zirconocene derivatives, the reaction occurs with inversion of stereochemistry of the dienyl system.