Nickel-Catalyzed Formal Aminocarbonylation of Secondary Benzyl Chlorides with Isocyanides

Phenylacetamides
represent versatile feedstocks in synthetic chemistry,
widely existing in drug molecules and natural products. Herein, we
disclose a nickel-catalyzed formal aminocarbonylation of secondary
benzyl chlorides with isocyanides yielding α-substituted phenylacetamide
with steric hindrance, which is synthetically challenging via palladium-catalyzed
aminocarbonylation. The reaction features wide functional group tolerance
under mild conditions, highlighted by the tolerance of various aromatic
halide (−Cl, −Br, −I) and heteroaromatic rings
(pyridine and pyrazine).