para-Selective Alkylation of Benzamides and Aromatic Ketones by Cooperative Nickel/Aluminum Catalysis.

We report a method that ensures the selective alkylation of benzamides and aromatic ketones at the para-position via cooperative nickel/aluminum catalysis. Using a bulky catalyst/cocatalyst system allows reactions between benzamides and alkenes to afford the corresponding para-alkylated products. The origin of the high para-selectivity has also been investigated by density functional theory calculations.