Benzaldehyde- and Nickel-Catalyzed Photoredox C(sp)-H Alkylation/Arylation with Amides and Thioethers.

Herein a synergistic combination of a nickel catalyst and benzaldehyde for the utilization of amides and thioethers in C(sp)-H alkylation and arylation reactions employing simple aryl or alkyl halides is reported. This method provides a simple and cheap strategy for the direct functionalization of amides and thioethers. Readily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions, a good functional-group tolerance, and a broad substrate scope make this methodology attractive and practical for pharmaceutical and synthetic chemistry.