Nickel-catalyzed 1,4-rearrangement of an aryl Group in aryl N-benzylimidates via C–O and C–H bond cleavage

We report herein that nickel-catalyzed reaction of aryl imidates bearing an N-benzyl group results in 1,4-migration of an O-aryl group via the cleavage of C–O and C–H bonds. This protocol allows for the benzylic C–H bond arylation of benzylamine building blocks using phenols as an aryl source to form elaborate diarylmethylamine derivatives.