para-Selective Alkylation of Sulfonylarenes by Cooperative Nickel/Aluminum Catalysis.

A method for the para-selective alkylation of a variety of arenesulfonamides and aromatic sulfones with 1-alkenes by cooperative nickel/aluminum catalysis has been developed. Taking advantage of the sulfornyl functionality serving as a removable ortho-directing group, the reaction can be applied to facile access to 1,3-dialkyl-substitued benzenes.