Nickel-catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroarylation and Hydroalkenylation of Styrenes

We have developed a Ni-catalyzed
enantioselective hydroarylation
of styrenes with arylboronic acids using MeOH as the hydrogen source,
providing an efficient method to access 1,1-diarylalkanes, which are
essential structural units in many biologically active compounds.
In addition, Ni-catalyzed enantioselective hydrovinylation of styrenes
with vinylboronic acids is also realized with good yields and enantioselectivities.
The synthetic utility was demonstrated by the efficient synthesis
of (R)-(−)-ibuprofen.