KOtBu/DMF-Mediated Hydroalkylation of Alkenes via Benzylic C-H Bond Activation

J Org Chem. 2024 Mar 15;89(6):3726-3731. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02238. Epub 2024 Feb 28.

Abstract

Catalytic hydroalkylation reaction of alkenes with benzylic hydrocarbons involving t-BuOK/DMF-mediated benzylic C-H bond activation is demonstrated. This direct and operational simple protocol affords a rapid and reliable access to a wide scope of benzylic compounds in good-to-excellent yields. The benzylic C-H's of either activated diarylmethanes (pKa ∼ 32.2) and benzyl thioethers (pKa ∼ 30.8) or inert alkylbenzenes could all act as useful synthetic platforms to be conveniently alkylated under mild reaction conditions.