Nickel-Catalyzed Regioselectivity-Switchable Hydroheteroarylation of Vinylarenes with Electron-Rich Heteroarenes

We report the first example of a regioselectivity switch in the hydroheteroarylation of vinylarenes with electron-rich heteroarenes, including benzofurans, benzothiophenes, and indoles, using an expedient ligand-controlled strategy. In the presence of NaOtBu, Ni­(IMesMe)­[P­(OEt)3]­Br2 yields C2-alkylated heteroarenes with high branched selectivity, whereas the use of Ni­(IPr*OMe)­[P­(OEt)3]­Br2 favors the formation of the corresponding linear products. This robust method also provides easy access to a range of C2-alkylated electron-rich heteroarenes without employing directing groups