Iridium(III)-Catalyzed Branch-Selective C–H Alkenylation of Aniline Derivatives with Alkenes

The branch-selective C–H alkenylation with alkenes using an iridium catalyst is reported. The Ir­(III)-catalyzed reaction of aniline derivatives that contain a pyrimidine-directing group with vinylsilanes and terminal aliphatic alkenes results in branch-selective C–H alkenylation. The reaction provides a broad substrate scope for aniline derivatives, and a variety of functional groups are tolerated. Density functional theory calculations were performed in an attempt to understand the origin of the branch selectivity.