Nickel-Catalyzed Benzylic Substitution of Benzyl Esters with Malonates as a Soft Carbon Nucleophile

The nickel-catalyzed benzylic substitution of benzyl alcohol derivatives with a soft carbon nucleophile is extremely rare compared to that with a hard carbon nucleophile. We have achieved the nickel-catalyzed benzylic substitution of benzyl esters with malonates as a soft carbon nucleophile. Primary and secondary benzyl 2,3,4,5,6-penta-fluorobenzoates as well as a wide variety of malonate derivatives were well tolerated in the nickel-catalyzed reaction, providing the corresponding alkylation products in 46-86% yields (34 examples). Additionally, we propose a possible reaction mechanism that would undergo via the eta(1)- and eta(3)-benzylnickel intermediates.