10.1055/s-0039-1690717
Austin D. Marchese et al. present a novel and simplified protocol for nickel-catalyzed C–S vinylation reactions. The study introduces a method that employs air-stable Ni(II) precatalysts, specifically NiI2(Nickel(II) Iodide), and a cost-effective, commercially available ligand, P(OPr)3, to achieve stereospecific cross-coupling of various thiophenols and styryl bromides. The protocol is notable for its scalability, robustness, and high stereospecificity, maintaining the E/Z ratio of the starting materials in the products. The researchers optimized the reaction conditions, achieving high yields (up to 93%) with low catalyst loadings (as low as 0.5 mol%). The method was successfully applied to a range of substrates, including ortho-substituted thiophenols and a-bromocinnamaldehydes, and demonstrated excellent chemoselectivity. Additionally, the study explores the potential for double thiolation and thiolation-cyclization cascade reactions, showcasing the versatility of the developed protocol.