Introduction

As a key structural element, chiral alkynes motifs bearing an α stereocentre are often found in many bioactive compounds, chemical probes, and functional materials (Fig. 1a). In addition, they are also valuable synthons as the sp3-hybridized carbons could undergo versatile transformations to deliver useful sp2- or sp3-hybridized carbons1. As a result, efficient strategies for catalytic, enantioselective C(sp3)–C(sp) coupling to generate such stereocentres have long been sought (Fig. 1b). For example, Liu2,3 reported an elegant work on Cu-catalyzed asymmetric Sonogashira C(sp3)–C(sp) coupling4,5. Shi6 and Liu7 have demonstrated that Pd- and Cu-catalyzed C(sp3)–H alkynylation could be achieved in an enantioselective fashion. Liu8 has also used an alkene difunctionalization strategy to produce enantioenriched alkynylation product under copper catalyst9. Suginome10 has reported a pioneering work on Ni-catalyzed asymmetric hydroalkynylation of 1,3-dienes based on their previous hydroalkynylation works11,12. As a continued development of general alternatives for asymmetric C(sp3)–C(sp) coupling, here we report an appealing approach via metal-hydride13,14,15 catalyzed asymmetric (remote) hydroalkynylation16 from readily available alkene starting materials.

Fig. 1: Ni(I)H-catalyzed migratory hydroalkynylation and enantioselective hydroalkynylation.
figure 1

a Representative bioactive molecules bearing a chiral alkyne motif. b Common strategies for C(sp3)–C(sp) coupling. c Chemo- & stereoselective NiH-catalyzed (migratory) hydroalkynylation of alkenes.

Full size image

Owing to its low-cost, facile oxidative addition, and availability of diverse oxidation states, nickel17,18 has emerged as a catalyst complementary to palladium over the past two decades, especially in cross-coupling reaction involving C(sp3) fragments. Reductive migratory hydrofunctionalization19,20,21,22 catalyzed by nickel hydride23,24,25 has recently been recognized as an alternative protocol for selective functionalization of remote C(sp3)–H bonds26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66. Compared to conventional cross-coupling, this process (i) employs readily available, bench-stable alkenes or alkene precursors instead of specially generated organometallic reagents as starting materials and (ii) could also selectively functionalize a remote C(sp3)–H site in addition to the conventional ipso-position. Since its conception, significant progress has been made toward this synthetically useful process26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61, which requires that the cross-coupling partner (e.g., aryl halide or alkyl halide) could selectively capture an alkylnickel species generated through iterative migratory insertion/β-hydride elimination.

To explore this nickel-catalyzed migratory hydrofunctionalization further, we recently investigated if a bromoalkyne, an unsaturated C(sp) cross-coupling partner which is potentially reactive toward NiH, could be used to achieve remote hydroalkynylation (Fig. 1c, i). Successful implementation of this transformation will require (i) a hydrometalation process that can discriminate between alkene and alkyne and (ii) an alkynylation process highly selective for one of the alkylnickel species. A chiral alkyne bearing an α-aryl-substituted stereogenic C(sp3) center2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10,67,68 would be ultimately obtained from styrene through hydronickellation and subsequent enantioconvergent52,53,55,56,69 alkynylation (Fig. 1c, ii). Here, we show the successful execution of this reaction.

Results

Reaction design and optimization

Our initial studies involved the migratory hydroalkynylation of 4-phenyl-1-butene (1a) using 1-bromo-2-(triisopropylsilyl)acetylene (2a) as an alkynylation reagent (Fig. 2). It was determined that NiI2·xH2O and the bathocuproine ligand (L) could generate the desired migratory alkynylation product as a single regioisomer [rr (benzylic product: all other isomers) > 99:1] in 82% yield (entry 1). Other nickel sources such as NiBr2 led to lower yields and a moderate rr (entry 2). Ligand screening revealed that the previously used ligand29, 6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (L1) resulted in significantly lower yield and rr (entry 3) while a similar ligand neocuproine (L2) led to a similar regioselectivity but a lower yield (entry 4). Other silanes such as trimethoxysilane and diethoxymethylsilane gave diminished yields (entries 5 and 6), and marginally lower yield was obtained when reducing the amount of PMHS to 2.5 equiv (entry 7). K3PO4·H2O was shown to be an unsuitable base (entry 8). The addition of NaI as an additive improves both the yield and rr, presumably by promoting the regeneration of NiH species (entry 9). An evaluation of solvents revealed that THF was less effective than DME (entry 10), and conducting the reaction at 40 °C gave inferior results (entry 11).

Fig. 2: Variation of reaction parameters.
figure 2

*Yields determined by GC using n-dodecane as the internal standard, the yield in parentheses is the isolated yield. †rr refers to regioisomeric ratio, representing the ratio of the major product to the sum of all other isomers as determined by GC analysis. PMHS polymethylhydrosiloxane, DME dimethoxyethane, TIPS triisopropylsilyl.

Full size image

Substrate scope

With these optimal reaction conditions, we examined the generality of the reaction. As shown in Fig. 3a, unactivated terminal alkenes bearing electron-donating (3c) or electron-withdrawing (3d–3g) substituents on the remote aryl ring are tolerated. A variety of functional groups are readily accommodated, including ethers (3c, 3h–3k, 3m), a trifluoromethyl group (3d), and esters (3g, 3i). Importantly, tosylates (3j) and triflate (3k) commonly used for further cross-coupling, all remained intact. The reaction could also proceed with olefin substrate having longer chain length between the starting C=C bond and the remote aryl group, producing the benzylic alkynylation product exclusively although with a lower yield (3l). Remarkably, both silyl and sterically hindered alkyl substituted ethynyl bromides work well in this reaction (3m, 3n). Moreover, a variety of unactivated internal alkenes also proved to be competent coupling partners, regardless of the E/Z configuration or the position of the C=C bond (Fig. 3b, 3o–3w). As expected, styrenes themselves smoothly undergo hydroalkynylation to produce the benzylic alkynylation product exclusively (Fig. 3c, 3x–3k′). Under these exceptionally mild reaction conditions, various substituents on the aryl ring (3z–3e′) as well as heteroaromatic styrenes (3f′, 3g′) were also suitable for this reaction.

Fig. 3: NiH-catalyzed migratory hydroalkynylation of alkenes with bromoalkynes.
figure 3

Yield under each product refers to the isolated yield of purified product (0.20 mmol scale, average of two runs), rr refers to regioisomeric ratio, representing the ratio of the major product to the sum of all other isomers as determined by GC analysis. *Diglyme was used as solvent. †10 mol% NiI2·xH2O, 12 mol% L, and 20 mol% NaI were used. ‡DME (0.10 M) was used. TBS tert-butyldimethylsilyl, TBDPS tert-butyldiphenylsilyl; Tr trityl (triphenylmethyl).

Full size image

In an effort to obtain enantioenriched benzylic alkynylation products, the asymmetric version of NiH-catalyzed hydroalkynylation of styrenes was explored and the results are in Fig. 4. It was found that a chiral PyrOx ligand (S)-L* under modified reaction conditions could produce the desired hydroalkynylation products in good yields and excellent ee. Styrenes with a variety of substituents on the aromatic ring underwent asymmetric hydroalkynylation smoothly (5a–5q), including ethers (5d–5i), an easily reduced aldehyde (5l), a nitrile (5m, 5n), and esters (5o–5q). Substituents commonly used for further cross-coupling such as aryl chloride (5c), aryl bromide (5k), and boronic acid pinacol ester (5j) all emerged unchanged. The substituents at β-position could also be varied (5r–5c′). Alkyl bromides were compatible with the current reaction, providing a synthetic handle for further derivatization (5y, 5z). β-Unsubstituted styrenes were also compatible (5d′, 5j′, 5k′). The scope of bromoalkynes was also explored and a range of different sterically hindered substituents at the β-position, including silyl and alkyl-substituted ethynyl bromides were shown to be viable substrates (5e′–5i′). However, it should also be noted that the less steric hindered alkyl-substituted ethynyl bromide (2l′) and aryl-substituted ethynyl bromide (2m′) were unsuccessful substrates70 and could easily undergo decomposition under the current conditions.

Fig. 4: NiH-catalyzed enantioselective hydroalkynylation of styrenes with bromoalkynes.
figure 4

Yield under each product refers to the isolated yield of purified product (0.20 mmol scale, average of two runs), single regioisomer was obtained unless otherwise noted. Enantioselectivities were determined by chiral HPLC analysis. *NiBr2·diglyme used as catalyst, 1,2-dichloroethane used as solvent, 3.0 equiv NaI used. TES triethylsilyl.

Full size image

Discussion

The asymmetric migratory hydroalkynylation could also be realized. In a preliminary experiment with 3-aryl-1-propene (1i) as substrate (Fig. 5a), chain-walking and subsequent asymmetric alkynylation at benzylic position product ((S)-3i) was obtained with excellent ee (90% ee) as major isomer (90:10 rr). When the reaction was conducted on a 5 mmol scale, the functionalized chiral benzylic alkyne (5e) was obtained in high yield and with excellent enantioselectivity (Fig. 5b). To highlight the synthetic utility of the method, subsequent derivatizations were carried out (Fig. 5c). Desilylation of 5e yielded the enantioenriched terminal alkyne (6), which could further undergo a click reaction to form 7 or a hydration reaction to form 8. The semi-hydrogenation of alkyne (5a) by DIBAL-H (diisobutylaluminum hydride) could be highly stereoselective, giving the Z-alkene (9). In addition, oxidative cleavage of the triple bond in 5e could afford the corresponding chiral carboxylic acid (10).

Fig. 5: Enantioselective migratory hydroalkynylation, gram-scale, derivatization, and isotopic labeling experiments.
figure 5

a Preliminary result of enantioselective migratory hydroalkynylation. b Gram-scale experiment. c Transformation of the enantioenriched benzylic alkynes. d Isotopic labeling experiment. e Crossover experiment.

Full size image

To gain further insight into the mechanism of the hydrometallation process, isotope labeling experiments were conducted. As shown in Fig. 5d, the use of the deuterated trans-alkene (E-4h-D) led to the formation of both diastereomers in approximately equal amounts (0.55:0.45 dr), which indicated that the syn-hydrometallation is not the enantio-determining step because if it was, a diastereomerically pure 5h-D should be formed. This observation is consistent with our initial mechanistic proposal that the benzylic stereocentre is formed through rapid homolysis of the alkyl-Ni(III) bond and subsequently enantioconvergent process, reforming only one Ni(III) enantiomer from Ni(II) and benzylic radical (see Fig. 1c, ii). Furthermore, no intermolecular H/D scrambled crossover products were obtained in both migratory and asymmetric hydroalkynylation conditions, revealing that hydrometallation of NiH/NiD species to styrene is irreversible (Fig. 5e).

In conclusion, we report a NiH-catalyzed strategy to form functionalized benzylic alkynylation products, which are versatile synthetic intermediates. Both migratory hydroalkynylation and asymmetric hydroalkynylation can be realized. These two mild, efficient, and straightforward processes tolerate a wide range of functional groups on both the alkene and bromoalkyne components. A broad substrate scope as well as synthetic utility of this protocol have been demonstrated. An investigation of the mechanism and the development of a migratory enantioselective version of this transformation are currently in progress.

Methods

NiH-catalyzed migratory hydroalkynylation of alkenes

In a nitrogen-filled glove box, to an oven-dried 8 mL screw-cap vial equipped with a magnetic stir bar were added NiI2·xH2O (3.8 mg, 5.0 mol%), L (4.3 mg, 6.0 mol%), Na2CO3 (42.4 mg, 2.0 equiv), NaI (3.0 mg, 10.0 mol%) and anhydrous DME (1.0 mL). The mixture was stirred for 20 min at room temperature (stirred at 800 rpm) before the addition of PMHS (60 μL, 1.0 mmol, 5.0 equiv). Stirring was continued for an additional 5 min before the addition of olefin 1 (0.20 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and bromoalkyne 2 (0.30 mmol, 1.5 equiv). The tube was sealed with a teflon-lined screw cap, removed from the glove box and the reaction was stirred at 25 °C for up to 16 h (the mixture was stirred at 1000 rpm). After the reaction was complete, the reaction was quenched upon the addition of H2O, and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was concentrated to give the crude product. n-Dodecane (20 μL) was added as an internal standard for GC analysis. The product was purified by flash column chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc) for each substrate. See Supplementary Information for more detailed experimental procedures and characterization data for all products.

Enantioselective NiH-catalyzed hydroalkynylation of styenes

In a nitrogen-filled glove box, to an oven-dried 8 mL screw-cap vial equipped with a magnetic stir bar were added NiI2·xH2O (3.8 mg, 5.0 mol%), (S)-L* (3.3 mg, 6.0 mol%), K3PO4·H2O (115.1 mg, 2.5 equiv), NaI (60.0 mg, 2.0 equiv) and anhydrous PhCF3 (1.0 mL). The mixture was stirred for 20 min at room temperature (stirred at 800 rpm) before the addition of (MeO)3SiH (64 μL, 0.50 mmol, 2.5 equiv). Stirring was continued for an additional 5 min before the addition of olefin 4 (0.20 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and bromoalkyne 2 (0.30 mmol, 1.5 equiv). The tube was sealed with a teflon-lined screw cap, removed from the glove box and the reaction was stirred at 0 °C for up to 12 h (the mixture was stirred at 800 rpm). After the reaction was complete, the reaction was quenched upon the addition of H2O, and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was concentrated to give the crude product. n-Dodecane (20 μL) was added as an internal standard for GC analysis. The product was purified by flash column chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc) for each substrate. The enantiomeric excesses (% ee) were determined by HPLC analysis using chiral stationary phases. See Supplementary Information for more detailed experimental procedures and characterization data for all products.