Nickel-Catalyzed Regioselective Intermolecular Dialkylation of Alkenylarenes: Generation of Two Vicinal C(sp3)−C(sp3) Bonds Across Alkenes**

Abstract

We disclose a Ni-catalyzed regioselective dialkylation reaction of alkenylarenes with α-halocarbonyls and alkylzinc reagents. The reaction produces γ-arylated alkanecarbonyl compounds with the generation of two new C(sp3)−C(sp3) bonds at the vicinal carbons of alkenes. This reaction is effective for the use of primary, secondary and tertiary α-halocarboxylic esters, amides and ketones in conjunction with primary and secondary alkylzinc reagents as the sources of two C(sp3) carbons for the dialkylation of terminal and cyclic internal alkenes.