Nickel-catalysed migratory hydroalkynylation and enantioselective hydroalkynylation of olefins with bromoalkynes.

α-Chiral alkyne is a key structural element of many bioactive compounds, chemical probes, and functional materials, and is a valuable synthon in organic synthesis. Here we report a NiH-catalysed reductive migratory hydroalkynylation of olefins with bromoalkynes that delivers the corresponding benzylic alkynylation products in high yields with excellent regioselectivities. Catalytic enantioselective hydroalkynylation of styrenes has also been realized using a simple chiral PyrOx ligand. The obtained enantioenriched benzylic alkynes are versatile synthetic intermediates and can be readily transformed into synthetically useful chiral synthons.