Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioconvergent Reductive Hydroalkylation of Olefins with α-Heteroatom Phosphorus or Sulfur Alkyl Electrophiles

Substantial advances in enantioconvergent C(sp³)-C(sp³) bond formation reactions have been made in recent years through the use of transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of racemic secondary alkyl electrophiles with organometallic reagents. Herein, we report a general process for the asymmetric construction of alkyl-alkyl bonds adjacent to heteroatoms, namely, a nickel-catalyzed enantioconvergent reductive hydroalkylation of olefins with α-heteroatom phosphorus or sulfur alkyl electrophiles. Including the use of readily available olefins, this reaction has considerable advantages, such as mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, and good functional group compatibility, making it a desirable alternative to traditional electrophile-nucleophile cross-coupling reactions.