Continuing with our recent theme of developing new methods for C(sp³)–S bond formation via nickel-catalyzed syn-carbosulfenyation of alkenes, in today’s ChemRxiv pre-print we describe a new three-component method for combining alkylzinc nucleophiles, sulfur electrophiles, and unactivated alkenes. The method complements previous methodology from our group by expanding the scope of C(sp²) nucleophiles to C(sp³) nucleophiles and is enabled by use a bidentate directing auxiliary group. The method is compatible with a diverse collection of coupling partners including various E– and Z-configured internal alkenes. Congrats to the project team, grad students Zi-Qi and Hui-Qi and visiting undergrad Wen-Ji. Great work team!

For a link to the pre-print in ChemRxiv, click here: https://chemrxiv.org/engage/chemrxiv/article-details/6233b0c08ab3732b56687bad