Nickel-catalyzed C-alkylation of thioamide, amides and esters by primary alcohols through a hydrogen autotransfer strategy.

A simple catalyst of Ni(OAc)2 and P(t-Bu)3 enables selective C-alkylation of thioacetamides and primary acetamides with alcohols for the first time. Monoalkylation of thioamides, amides and t-butyl esters occurs in excellent yields (>95%). Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction proceeds via a hydrogen autotransfer pathway.