Branch-Selective Addition of Unactivated Olefins into Imines and Aldehydes

Radical hydrofunctionalization occurs with ease using metal-hydride hydrogen atom transfer (MHAT) catalysis to couple alkenes and competent radicalophilic electrophiles. Traditional two-electron electrophiles have remained unreactive. Herein we report the reductive coupling of electronically unbiased olefins with imines and aldehydes. Iron catalysis allows addition of alkyl-substituted olefins into imines through the intermediacy of free radicals, whereas a combination of catalytic Co(Sal t -Bu, t -Bu ) and chromium salts enables a branch-selective coupling of olefins and aldehydes through the formation of a putative alkyl chromium intermediate.