Nickel-Catalyzed Allylic C(sp2)-H Activation: Stereoselective Allyl Isomerization and Regiospecific Allyl Arylation of Allylarenes

Stereoselective allyl isomerization and regiospecific allyl arylation reactions of allylarenes with a catalytic system comprising nickel(II) with an aryl Grignard reagent were studied. Both reactions are triggered by allylic internal C(sp2)–H activation by in-situ-formed Ni0, which is inserted into the C–H bond at the 2-position of the allyl moiety without a directing group. The isomerization of allylarene to 1-propenylarene favors the E isomer and proceeds with quantitative conversion. The arylation takes place through oxidative cross-coupling of allylarenes with excess Grignard reagent. It occurs regiospecifically at the position of C(sp2)–H activation and represents a new method for the synthesis of 1,1-disubstituted olefins. The results of deuterium labeling experiments reveal an alkenyl/alkyl mechanism involving allylic internal C(sp2)–H activation and multiple intermolecular 1,2-, 1,3-, and 2,3-hydride shifts. These methods represent new approaches to the functionalization of olefins, and the mechanistic investigations could be helpful for the discovery and design of new strategies for olefin functionalization.