Three-Component Ru-Catalyzed Regioselective Alkylarylation of Vinylarenes via Meta-Selective C(sp2)-H Bond Functionalization

Org Lett. 2022 Apr 29;24(16):3043-3047. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c00999. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

Abstract

We report a novel Ru-catalyzed regioselective alkylarylation of vinylarenes with alkyl halides and arenes via meta-C(sp2)-H bond functionalization to construct 1,1-diarylalkanes that generally show bioactivity. In this transformation, a wide spectrum of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl halides and electronically varied arenes was well-tolerated. This reaction is characterized by its exquisite regioselectivity of vinylarenes, unique meta-C(sp2)-H selectivity, and redox-neutral conditions. The mechanism presented was supported by radical probes and kinetic isotope effect studies.