The C-2 selective alkenylation of pyridine derivatives is achieved with a catalyst consisting of nickel and Lewis acid. Use of diorganozinc compounds as the Lewis acid catalyst gives C-2 monoalkenylation products, whereas AlMe3 changes the reaction course to afford C-2 dienylated products, which are derived from double insertion of alkynes into the C(2)−H bond. The reaction demonstrates a broad substrate scope and proceeds with high chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities under mild conditions compared with previous examples of direct C−H functionalization of pyridines.

Nickel/P(c-C(5)H(9))(3) (PCyp(3)) catalyst effects the addition reactions of fluoroarenes across alkynes, 1,3-dienes, and vinylarenes via the activation of C-H bonds over C-F bonds. The acidic C-H bonds located ortho to fluorine are exclusively activated to afford a range of alkenylated and alkylated fluoroarenes.

Nickel complexes having a bulky tri(sec-alkyl)phosphine ligand catalyze hydroheteroarylation of alkynes at 35 degrees C. Selective activation of an Ar-H bond over an Ar-CN bond of N-protected 3-cyanoindoles is achieved by a proper choice of ligand and/or an N-protecting group. The catalysis is applicable to a diverse range of heteroarenes to afford cis-hydroheteroarylation products in highly chemo- and stereoselective manners. Excellent regioselectivity is observed with unsymmetrical alkynes to give the corresponding heteroaryl-substituted ethenes having a larger substituent trans to an aryl group.

Regioselective alkenylation and alkylation of 2-pyridone derivatives are achieved through inter- and intramolecular insertion of alkynes, 1,3-dienes, and alkenes into the C(6)-H bond by nickel/AlMe(3) catalysis. Coordination of the heterocycles to the Lewis acid cocatalyst through their basic carbonyl oxygen is considered to be responsible for the regioselective activation of the C-H bonds, probably through oxidative addition to nickel(0).

In the nickel of time: A nickel/carbene catalyst effects the hydroheteroarylation of vinylarenes to give 1,1‐diarylethanes that contain various heteroaryl moieties with excellent regioselectivity. EWG= electron‐withdrawing group.