Nickel- catalysed alkylation of C( sp3)- H bonds with alcohols: direct access to functionalised N- heteroaromatics

The first base-metal catalysed coupling of primary alcohols with methyl-N-heteroaromatics is reported. The use of an earth abundant and nonprecious NiBr2/L1 system enables access to a series of C(sp(3))-alkylated N-heteroaromatics. Mechanistic studies have established the participation of a hydrogen-borrowing strategy for -alkylation.