Nickel-catalyzed direct alkynylation of C(sp2)-H bonds of amides: an inverse Sonogashira strategy to ortho-alkynylbenzoic acids

Nickel-catalyzed direct alkynylation of C(sp(2))-H bonds of amides using commercially available, inexpensive 8-aminoquinoline as a removable bidentate directing group is described. The present ortho-alkynylation has a broad substrate scope, functional group tolerance and high regiocontrol, and can be scaled up. The efficiency and selectivity of this strategy provide sustainable routes to a diverse array of ortho-alkynylbenzoic acids under Ni-(II)-catalyzed conditions.