Enantioselective Electroreductive Coupling of Alkenyl and Benzyl Halides via Nickel Catalysis

Abstract

An electrochemically-driven enantioselective nickel-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling of alkenyl bromides and benzyl chlorides is reported. The reaction forms products bearing allylic stereogenic centers with good enantioselectivity under mild conditions in an undivided cell. Electrochemical activation and turnover of the catalyst mitigate issues posed by metal powder reductants. This report demonstrates that enantioselective Ni-catalyzed cross-electrophile couplings can be driven electrochemically.