Ni-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective Alkylarylation of Unactivated Alkenes in γ,δ-Alkenylketimines

We disclose a Ni-catalyzed vicinal
alkylarylation of unactivated
alkenes in γ,δ-alkenylketimines with aryl halides and
alkylzinc reagents. The reaction produces γ-C­(sp3)-branched δ-arylketones with the construction of two C­(sp3)–C­(sp3) and C­(sp3)–C­(sp2) bonds. Electron-deficient alkenes play crucial dual roles
as ligands to stabilize reaction intermediates and to increase catalytic
rates for the formation of C­(sp3)–C­(sp3) bonds. This alkene alkylarylation reaction is also effective for
secondary alkylzinc reagents and internal alkenes and proceeds with
a complete regio- and stereocontrol, affording products with up to
three contiguous all-carbon all-cis secondary stereocenters.