Regio‐ and Enantioselective Ni‐Catalyzed Formal Hydroalkylation, Hydrobenzylation, and Hydropropargylation of Acrylamides to α‐Tertiary Amides

Hydrodeuteroalkylation of Unactivated Olefins Using Thianthrenium Salts

Isotopically labeled alkanes play a crucial role in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry. While some deuterated methylating agents are readily available, the limited accessibility of other deuteroalkyl reagents has hindered the synthesis of corresponding products. In this study, we introduce a nickel-catalyzed system that facilitates the synthesis of various deuterium-labeled alkanes through the hydrodeuteroalkylation of d2-labeled alkyl TT salts with unactivated alkenes. Diverging from traditional deuterated alkyl reagents, alkyl thianthrenium (TT) salts can effectively and selectively introduce deuterium at α position of alkyl chains using D2O as the deuterium source via a single-step pH-dependent hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE). Our method allows for high deuterium incorporation, and offers precise control over the site of deuterium insertion within an alkyl chain. This technique proves to be invaluable for the synthesis of various deuterium-labeled compounds, especially those of pharmaceutical relevance.

Late-Stage Modification of Oligopeptides by Nickel-Catalyzed Stereoselective Radical Addition to Dehydroalanine

Radical addition to dehydroalanine (Dha) represents an appealing, modular strategy to access non-canonical peptide analogues for drug discovery. Prior studies on radical addition to the Dha residue of peptides and proteins have demonstrated outstanding functional group compatibility, but the lack of stereoselectivity has limited the synthetic utility of this approach. Herein, we address this challenge by employing chiral nickel catalysts to control the stereoselectivity of radical addition to Dha on oligopeptides. The conditions accommodate a variety of primary and secondary electrophiles to introduce polyethylene glycol, biotin, halo-tag, and hydrophobic and hydrophilic side chains to the peptide. The reaction features catalyst control to largely override substrate-based control of stereochemical outcome for modification of short peptides. We anticipate that the discovery of chiral nickel complexes that confer catalyst control will allow rapid, late-stage modification of peptides featuring nonnatural sidechains.

Ligand-Controlled NiH-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Chain-Walking Hydroalkylation of Alkenes

A NiH-catalyzed migratory hydroalkylation of alkenyl amines with predictable and switchable regioselectivity is reported. By utilizing a ligand-controlled, directing group-assisted strategy, various alkyl units are site-selectively installed at inert sp³ C-H sites far away from the original C=C bonds. A range of structurally diverse α- and β-branched protected amines are conveniently synthesized via stabilization of 5- and 6-membered nickelacycles respectively. This method exhibits broad scope and high functional group tolerance, and can be applied to late-stage modification of medicinally relevant molecules.

Orthogonal Access to α-/β-Branched/Linear Aliphatic Amines by Catalyst-Tuned Regiodivergent Hydroalkylations

Linear, α-branched, and β-branched aliphatic amines are widespread in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and fine chemicals. Thus, the development of direct and efficient methods to these structures in a tunable manner is highly desirable yet challenging. Herein, a catalyst-controlled synthesis of α-branched, β-branched and linear aliphatic amines from Ni/Co-catalyzed regio- and site-selective hydroalkylations of alkenyl amines with alkyl halides is developed. This catalytic protocol features the reliable prediction and control of the coupling position of alkylation to provide orthogonal access to α-branched, β-branched and linear alkyl amines from identical starting materials. This platform unlocks orthogonal reactivity and selectivity of nickel hydride and cobalt hydride chemistry to catalytically repurpose three types of alkyl amines under mild conditions.

Ni-Catalyzed Regioselective Hydroarylation of 1-Aryl-1,3-Butadienes with Aryl Halides

An efficient nickel-catalyzed regioselective hydroarylation of 1,3-dienes with aryl halides and a silane has been developed, affording a range of allylic arenes in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. This method exhibits broad substrate scope, and excellent functional group tolerance. Late-stage modification of complex architectures was demonstrated.

Facile Synthesis of Chiral Arylamines, Alkylamines and Amides by Enantioselective NiH-Catalyzed Hydroamination

Regio- and enantioselective hydroarylamination, hydroalkylamination and hydroamidation of styrenes have been developed by NiH catalysis with a simple bioxazoline ligand under mild conditions. A wide range of enantioenriched benzylic arylamines, alkylamines and amides can be easily accessed by nitroarenes, hydroxylamines and dioxazolones, respectively as amination reagents. The chiral induction in these reactions is proposed to proceed through an enantiodifferentiating syn-hydronickellation step.