Diarylation of alkenes by a Cu-catalyzed migratory insertion/cross-coupling cascade.

A strategy for the catalytic diarylation of alkenes is presented. The method involves the migratory insertion of alkenes into an Ar-Cu complex to generate a new C(sp(3))-Cu complex, which subsequently undergoes reaction with an aryl iodide to constitute a vicinal diarylation of an alkene. The method provides access to benzofuran- and indoline-containing products. Furthermore, highly diastereoselective examples are presented, allowing access to complex, stereochemically rich structures from simple alkene starting materials.