We report a nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between oxime ester radical precursors and arylboronic acids that via a nitrogen-centered radical mechanism generates radicals from oxime esters. Using acyl, cyclobutanone, and benzyl oxime esters, this method successfully achieves the acylation, cyanoalkylation, and benzylation of arylboronic acids, demonstrating a broad scope. Notably, this strategy is applicable to the synthesis of the drug molecule fenofibrate and the bioactive molecule naphthylphenstatin, highlighting its potential utility for constructing complex bioactive molecules.
Zhou et al. (Fri,) studied this question.