Palladium‐Catalyzed Inward Isomerization Hydroaminocarbonylation of Alkenes

In contrast to the kinetically favored outward isomerization‐hydrocarbonylation of alkenes, the disfavored inward isomerization‐hydrocarbonylation of alkenes remains an important challenge. Herein, we have developed a novel and effective palladium‐catalyzed inward isomerization‐hydroaminocarbonylation of unactivated alkenes and aniline hydrochlorides for the formation of synthetically valuable α‐aryl carboxylic amides in high yields and high site‐selectivities. The high efficiency of the reaction is attributed to a relay catalysis strategy, in which the Markovnikov‐favored [PdH]‐PtBu3 catalyst is responsible for inward isomerization, while the [PdH]‐Ruphos catalyst is responsible for hydroaminocarbonylation of the resulting conjugated aryl alkenes. The reaction exhibits highly functional group tolerance and provides a new method for formal carbonylation of remote C(sp3)‐H bond.