Abstract
In contrast to the typical C
-H activation, a PN
P-Nickel complex chemoselectively cleaved the benzylic C
-H bond of toluene in the presence of KHMDS, presumably
an
generated potassium benzyl intermediate. Under similar conditions, CO underwent deoxygenation to afford the corresponding nickel cyano complex, and ethylbenzene was dehydrogenated to give styrene and a nickel hydride compound. 2,6-Xylyl isocyanide was transformed into an unprecedented indolyl complex, likely by trapping the activated benzyl species with an isocyanide moiety.