Phenyltrimethylammonium Salts as Methylation Reagents in the Nickel-Catalyzed Methylation of C-H Bonds.

Methylation of C(sp(2))-H bonds was achieved through the Ni(II)-catalyzed reaction of benzamides with phenyltrimethylammonium bromide or iodide as the source of the methyl group. The reaction has a broad scope and shows high functional-group compatibility. The reaction is also applicable to the methylation of C(sp(3))-H bonds in aliphatic amides.