A Strategy for C−H Activation of Pyridines: Direct C-2 Selective Alkenylation of Pyridines by Nickel/Lewis Acid Catalysis

The C-2 selective alkenylation of pyridine derivatives is achieved with a catalyst consisting of nickel and Lewis acid. Use of diorganozinc compounds as the Lewis acid catalyst gives C-2 monoalkenylation products, whereas AlMe 3 changes the reaction course to afford C-2 dienylated products, which are derived from double insertion of alkynes into the C(2)−H bond. The reaction demonstrates a broad substrate scope and proceeds with high chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities under mild conditions compared with previous examples of direct C−H functionalization of pyridines.