Enantioselective C–C cross-coupling of unactivated alkenes is challenging. Now, nickel catalysts bearing bulky C2-symmetric chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligands enable directing group-free asymmetric cross-coupling of unactivated alkenes with aryl or alkenyl triflates and nucleophiles, generating C sp3 stereocentres.
- Zi-Chao Wang
- Xiaohua Luo
- Shi-Liang Shi