| abstract |
The invention concerns processes for the synthesis of a compound of the formula: wherein: R 1 and R 2 are each, independently, C 1 -C 12 alkyl, CO 2 R 3 , OR 4 , R 5 (OR 6 ), or C 6 -C 18 aiyl; R 3 -R 6 are each, independently, C 1 -C 12 alkyl or C 6 -C 12 aryl; and n and m are each, independently, O or an integer from 1-5; said process comprising: — contacting a compound of the formula H0-R 7 -0H with BH 3 and a compound of the formula in the presence of a nickel-containing catalyst to produce a first product, where R 7 is a C 2 -C 12 hydrocarbon group and X is a halogen, OMs or OTs; — contacting the first product in situ with a compound of the formula: in the presence of a nickel-containing catalyst to produce a compound of formula I, where Z is a halogen. |