Enantioselective Nickel‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Allylic Alkenylations Enabled by Reversible Alkenylnickel E/Z Isomerization

Enantioselective nickel‐catalyzed arylative cyclizations of substrates containing a Z‐allylic phosphate tethered to an alkyne are described. These reactions give multisubstituted chiral aza‐ and carbocycles, and are initiated by the addition of an arylboronic acid to the alkyne, followed by cyclization of the resulting alkenylnickel species onto the allylic phosphate. The reversible E/Z isomerization of the alkenylnickel species is essential for the success of the reactions.