Gold-catalyzed hydroarylation of alkenes with dialkylanilines.

Anti-Bredt di(amino)carbene supported gold(I) chloride complexes are readily prepared in two steps from the corresponding isocyanide complexes. In the presence of KB(C6F5)4 as chloride scavenger, they promote the unprecedented hydroarylation reaction of alkenes with N,N-dialkylanilines with high para-selectivity. The latter are challenging arenes for Friedel-Craft reactions, due to their high basicity.