Nickel-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov hydroarylation of alkenes

Chem Sci. 2019 Feb 13;10(11):3231-3236. doi: 10.1039/c8sc05445b. eCollection 2019 Mar 21.

Abstract

We have developed a nickel-catalyzed hydroarylation of alkenes using aryl halides as coupling partners. Excellent anti-Markovnikov selectivity is achieved with aryl-substituted alkenes and enol ethers. We also show that hydroarylation occurs with alkyl substituted alkenes to yield linear products. Preliminary examination of the reaction mechanism suggests irreversible hydrometallation as the selectivity determining step of the hydroarylation.