A unified strategy for nickel(0)-catalyzed C-H allylations, alkenylations, and dienylations has been realized through versatile hydroarylations of allenes with ample scope. Thus, an inexpensive nickel catalyst modified with a N-heterocyclic carbene ligand enabled the direct transformation of C-H bonds of biologically relevant imidazole and purine derivatives with full control of regio- and chemoselectivity.
Keywords: C−H activation; allenes; heterocycles; mechanisms; nickel.
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