Iridium(III)-catalyzed branch-selective Câ'H alkenylation of aniline derivatives with alkenes

The branch-selective Câ'H alkenylation with alkenes using an iridium catalyst is reported. The Ir(III)-catalyzed reaction of aniline derivatives that contain a pyrimidine-directing group with vinylsilanes and terminal aliphatic alkenes results in branch-selective Câ'H alkenylation. The reaction provides a broad substrate scope for aniline derivatives, and a variety of functional groups are tolerated. Density functional theory calculations were performed in an attempt to understand the origin of the branch selectivity.