Herein, we describe a Zn-catalyzed atom-economical, inexpensive, and sustainable method for preparing a broad spectrum of substituted olefins utilizing alcohols as the main precursor. Using a Zn(II) complex [ZnLCl₂] (1) of the redox-noninnocent ligand 2-((4-chlorophenyl)diazenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (L), various (E)-olefins were prepared in good yields by coupling alcohols with sulfones and aryl cyanides under an inert atmosphere. Under an aerial atmosphere, vinyl nitriles were isolated in up to 82% yield reacting alcohols with benzyl cyanides in the presence of 1. Control experiments and mechanistic investigation indicate the active involvement of the aryl-azo ligand as an electron and hydrogen reservoir, permitting 1 to perform as a promising catalyst.

中文翻译：

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Zn（II） 稳定的偶氮阴离子自由基催化烯烃脱氢合成


在本文中，我们描述了一种 Zn 催化的原子经济、廉价且可持续的方法，用于利用醇作为主要前驱体制备广谱取代烯烃。使用氧化还原-非无害配体 2-（（4-氯苯基）二氮烯基）-1,10-菲咯啉 （L） 的 Zn（II） 配合物 [ZnLCl₂] （1），通过在惰性气氛下将醇与砜和芳基氰化物偶联，以良好的产率制备各种 （E）-烯烃。在空气气氛下，乙烯基腈以高达 82% 的收率分离，反应醇与 1.对照实验和机理研究表明，芳基偶氮配体作为电子和氢储氢器积极参与，使 1 能够作为有前途的催化剂发挥作用。