Table 1.

Optimization of the reaction between substituted benzyl chlorides and ethyl 4-bromobenzoate^a

Entry	Type of zinc	TMEDA (n equiv.)	Isolated yield of 1 (%)	Isolated yield of 2 (%)
1	Dust	1	92	52
2	Dust	0.5	96	66
3	Dust	0.25	95	92
4	Dust	0	53	65
5	Powder	1	84	62
6	Powder	0.5	82	86
7	Powder	0.25	94	96
8	Powder	0	76	74

^aConditions: benzyl chloride (4 mmol), ethyl 4-bromobenzoate (2 mmol), zinc (6 mmol), PdCl₂(Amphos)₂ (0.01 mmol), degassed water (5 mL).