Nickel-Catalyzed Csp2-Csp3 Cross-Coupling via C-O Bond Activation

A new and efficient nickel-catalyzed alkylation of C-Ar-O electrophiles with B-alkyl-9-BBNs is described. The transformation is characterized by its functional group tolerance and provides a practical and versatile access to various C-sp2-C-sp3 bonds through C-sp2-O substitution, without the restriction of beta-hydride elimination. Moreover, the advantage of the newly developed method was demonstrated in a selective and sequential C-O bond activation process.