Nickel-catalyzed asymmetric reductive cross-coupling between vinyl and benzyl electrophiles

J Am Chem Soc. 2014 Oct 15;136(41):14365-8. doi: 10.1021/ja508067c. Epub 2014 Oct 1.

Abstract

A Ni-catalyzed asymmetric reductive cross-coupling between vinyl bromides and benzyl chlorides has been developed. This method provides direct access to enantioenriched products bearing aryl-substituted tertiary allylic stereogenic centers from simple, stable starting materials. A broad substrate scope is achieved under mild reaction conditions that preclude the pregeneration of organometallic reagents and the regioselectivity issues commonly associated with asymmetric allylic arylation.