Benzothiazolium salts as versatile primary alcohol derivatives in Ni-catalyzed cross-electrophile arylation/vinylation

Abstract

Herein, we report a Ni-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling of aryl/vinyl halides with benzothiazolium salts derived from alcohols. Our findings demonstrate that primary alkyl benzothiazolium salts serve as effective C(sp³)–O substrates, facilitating coupling with aryl and vinyl halides. This method not only enables the formal functionalization of primary alcohols but also provides experimental support for previously established sequential alcohol halogenation and Ni-catalyzed reductive coupling platforms. Furthermore, this work introduces a new alcohol activation mode, presenting an alternative approach for engaging alcohols as coupling partners in organic synthesis.