Ni‐Catalyzed Arylbenzylation of Alkenylarenes: Kinetic Studies Reveal Autocatalysis by ZnX₂**

Abstract

We report aN i-catalyzed regioselective arylbenzylation of alkenylarenes with benzyl halides and arylzinc reagents.T he reaction furnishes differently substituted 1,1,3triarylpropyl structures that are reminiscent of the cores of oligoresveratrol natural products.The reaction is also compatible for the coupling of internal alkenes,s econdary benzyl halides and variously substituted arylzinc reagents.K inetic studies reveal that the reaction proceeds with ar ate-limiting single-electron-transfer process and is autocatalyzed by in-situgenerated ZnX 2 .T he reaction rate is amplified by af actor of three through autocatalysis upon addition of ZnX 2 .Scheme 1. Common alkene dicarbofunctionalization reactions.Scheme 2. Natural products bearing diarylalkyl and triarylalkyl cores.